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PARK CITY — Three people tied to a Mexican drug cartel were arrested and more than 17 pounds of meth seized Saturday.
The bust follows a three-month undercover investigation into a major drug trafficking unit in Park City and more arrests are pending, according to Park City police. The Mexico-based Sinaloa Cartel has been called one of the most powerful drug-trafficking groups in the world by U.S. Intelligence agencies.
Julio Cesar Perez-Vargas and Francisco Javier Romero-Barajas were arrested Saturday for investigation of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Vanessa Barron-Ballardo was also arrested Saturday and is being investigated for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and child endangerment.
The drugs, nearly $17,000 cash and an SUV were seized in the arrest.
"The arrest of these individuals sends a strong message to the drug traffickers in Park City and Summit County," Summit County Sheriff David Edmunds said. "You are not welcome here, and we will use the full force of the law to bring you to justice."
The operation was a collaboration between the DEA Metro Narcotics Task Force, Davis Metro Narcotics Strike Force, Summit County Sheriff's Office and Park City Police Department.
