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OREM — In two stings targeting three separate locations, the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force seized more than 40 ounces of heroin and arrested eight individuals.
The street value of the illegal drug is estimated at $80,000.
Heroin use is on the rise, "especially among young adults and teenagers," said Phil Murphy, director of the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force.
"You see the deaths increasing across the state, so when we make a significant seizure, it's great, but it's frustrating that it's such a problem."
The task force regularly arrests individuals coming into Utah County with drugs they purchase in Salt Lake or Davis counties.
"Its not too difficult for us to find out where they're going," he said. "We know the routines, how they go up and pick up their daily amounts. Large quantities are not in our areas."
Officers from various jurisdictions served one warrant on April 27 in West Valley City and seized 11 ounces of heroin, 2 ounces of cocaine and other drug paraphernalia. The street value of the heroin in that bust alone — which was apparently already packaged and ready for sale — is estimated to be around $20,000.
A few days later, on May 4, they served two separate search warrants at locations in Salt Lake and Davis counties believed to be stash houses where the heroin is packaged and distributed.
Officers found 30 ounces of heroin, more than $15,000 in cash, fraudulent government identification documents and paraphernalia used to package the heroin for distribution at the two locations.
The estimated street value of the heroin found in those two raids topped $60,000.
A total of eight suspects were arrested in connection with the warrants. Murphy said it appears all of those involved are in the country illegally "and are awaiting trial for various controlled substance violations."
Heroin presents a special threat because it comes in varying purities, which makes its potency unpredictable.
"Heroin is something that can potentially be lethal at any time because the user isn't aware of the purity level or the risks associated with it," he said.
Though the homes investigators raided yielded results, police say there are plenty of other stash houses that are similar.
"It's a definite problem along the Wasatch Front," Murphy said. "There are dozens of locations like that."
Officers from Unified police, Taylorsville police, the Davis County Sheriff's Office, West Valley police and U.S. Immigrations and Custom Enforcement all participated in the operation.
Email:emorgan@ksl.com
