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LAKE POINT, Tooele County — Four Honduran nationals accused of operating a large drug distribution ring in Tooele County are facing numerous felony charges.
The investigation by the Utah Attorney General's Office began in April. Undercover agents were able to purchase heroin and cocaine from members of the group on May 5 and June 1, according to charging documents. Those members and their vehicles were traced to a home in Lake Point.
On June 29, agents served a search warrant on the home, 8140 Round Rock Road. In one bedroom where a 6-month-old boy and a 7-year-old girl slept, investigators found "several hundred fentanyl pills stored inside of a shoe, as well as heroin, crack cocaine, and multiple plastic baggies stored in a gift bag on the floor of the bedroom closet," in addition to fake U.S. residency cards and a gun, according to the charges.
Agents also reported finding large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl pills and cash in the other bedrooms.
"Agents seized approximately 428 grams of cocaine, 3,245 grams of methamphetamine, 805 grams of heroin, and 4,345 suspected fentanyl pills. A total of $23,571.71 cash currency was located during the execution of the search warrant," the charges state. A kilo equals 1,000 grams.
Fernando Josue Baca-Diaz, 19, was charged in 3rd District Court with two counts of drug distribution and four counts of drug possession with intent to distribute, second-degree felonies. When interviewed by investigators, he denied actually distributing drugs, claiming he was being trained on "how to sell drugs and stay undetected by law enforcement."
Marco Javier Diaz-Canales, 23, was charged with four counts of drug distribution and four counts of drug possession with intent to distribute, second-degree felonies. He told investigators he had been distributing drugs in the area for about two months, the charges state.
Iris Jackeline Gomez-Serrano, 29, was charged with two counts of child endangerment and forgery, third-degree felonies.
Efran Adonay Diaz-Cruz, 30, was charged with three counts of drug possession with intent to distribute and being a restricted person in possession of a gun, second-degree felonies; and two counts of child endangerment, a third-degree felony. He claimed to have been distributing drugs for three months, according to the charges.
Nery Alexander Barahona Lorenzana, 32, who was arrested, also denied selling drugs but claimed others "had advised him on police tactics used in the U.S. during narcotics investigations," the charges allege. He is listed in court documents as a co-defendant, but formal charges had not been filed as of midday Wednesday.
