$1M in heroin hidden in secret compartments in car, police say


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WEST VALLEY CITY — More than $1 million worth of heroin and cocaine were seized Wednesday night from suspected drug traffickers in vehicles with sophisticated hiding areas, according to police.

A total of five vehicles were seized. In each vehicle, Unified Police Lt. Lex Bell said "very complex" hidden compartments were discovered, some powered by hydraulics, in the dashboards and floor boards.

"Each one had a unique hiding space in it. A couple of them had, under the driver's seat and the passenger seat, a panel on the floor that would open up on hydraulics, and a void underneath the floor board and the bottom of the car that they would fill up," Bell said.

In other cars, hidden compartments were found behind the dashboards.

"It would push the instrument panel in front of your steering wheel out toward the driver after he did a series of things to unlock the combination. And in there was a large area where you could store all sorts of whatever you were interested in smuggling," Bell said.

"This is obviously a professional group of people," he added. "There's no way in the world, I think, other than somebody who was well trained would locate these."

Just under 22 pounds of heroin worth more than $1 million was seized as well as just under a pound of cocaine.

The large bust was part of an ongoing investigation by the Utah County Major Crime Task Force and Unified police.

Utah County authorities learned of large shipments of heroin being shipped into Salt Lake County. Bell said the alleged "kingpin" of the deliveries was believed to be at 6508 W. 3500 South. Investigators went there about 8 p.m. Wednesday and discovered the vehicles and drugs, he said.

In addition, nearly $10,000 in cash was seized.

Candelario Soto Delgado, 38, was arrested for investigation of drug distribution. Two others were also arrested Wednesday. Investigators were still trying to positively identify the men. Both were believed to be in the country illegally, and may have been deported once before for drug distribution, Bell said.

Contributing: Nicole Vowell

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