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Ashley Hayes and Paul Nelson ReportingAn overnight drug bust got the attention of neighbors in West Valley City. SWAT teams entered the home literally with a bang. It's an explosive technique that's being used more frequently.
It was a successful operation for the drug agents. They arrested three suspects, one who had been charged with drug dealing before. Investigators had been tracking the suspects for two weeks. When the right time came, with search warrant in hand, they used something called explosive entry.
One look at the door and you know something more forceful than a foot kicked it in, and neighbors heard it.
Matt Hatch, Resident: "We heard the big bang last night. We didn't know what was going on."
Dianne Cheadle, Resident: "Sounded like bombings. We heard the police say it was the police, so at that point you knew it was some kind of raid."
A drug raid to be exact. And in that situation, detectives say striking quickly is the key. So more often, they are using something called "explosive entry."
Detectives say breaching the door requires different methods. Depending on the situation, an explosive device is set off o a burst of water under high pressure is used. Anything to gain entrance quickly, and have the element of surprise on their side.
Sgt. Kevin Mathews, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "The SWAT team was so dynamic, they were able to take them into custody in just a matter of seconds."
Drug agents busted the three men with 20-thousand dollars worth of heroin, another 20-thousand dollars worth of cocaine, and 15-thousand in cash. Investigators say the suspects were middle men, packaging the drugs in balloons, then giving them to dealers to sell.
Deputies say the suspects were selling to juveniles on the east side. High school kids, like these students at Granite High, are the target of what police are calling a popular wave of drug dealers. Principal Stephen Hess says they're always more watchful over their students after hearing about a bust like this.
Stephen Hess: "It's just really disgusting. I hate that kind of thing. The thought that somebody would be preying on our kids, in that way or any way, is just not acceptable at all."
Jaroscak says these dealers sold smaller portions of drugs in balloons to make them cheap enough for teens to buy.
For residents at the apartment complex there's a sense of relief it's all off the streets, but yet, an un-settling incident on their home turf.
"Stressed. I'm moving out."
Immigration and Customs Enforcement will likely get involved in this case. Investigators say the three are undocumented Mexican nationals. One of them was already deported for previous crimes but re-entered the country.
