2 charged in alleged drug run from LA to Salt Lake

2 charged in alleged drug run from LA to Salt Lake

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SALT LAKE CITY — Federal charges were filed Wednesday against a couple arrested after police found a large amount of methamphetamine in their vehicle.

Miriam Machado, 36, and Benito Urbina, 33, each were charged in federal court with drug distribution.

On Feb. 9, the two were pulled over by the Utah Highway Patrol. With the assistance of a police K-9, detectives found more than 16 pounds of methamphetamine in a hidden compartment and more than 2 pounds of heroin, according to court records.

Machado's 5-year-old daughter was also in the car at the time, court documents state. Urbina and his girlfriend told investigators they were transporting drugs from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. Machado said she had made a similar drug delivery the week before, hiding heroin in a toy giraffe, according to the federal complaint.

Machado told investigators she transported contraband as a way of making money to support herself and her family, court records state. Her daughter was taken into protective custody.

An initial court appearance was scheduled for Thursday. If convicted, each defendant faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison and could be sentenced to up to life in prison.

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Pat Reavy

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