Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Eight people have been arrested by Salt Lake City police as part of a monthslong investigation into an alleged THC cartridge distribution ring.
In addition, police say those arrested are part of the same gang and can be "connected to approximately 15 shootings in Salt Lake City and several more shootings throughout the valley."
Last week, Lucas Joseph Madrill, 19, was arrested and charged after police recovered about 14,000 THC cartridges from an alleged stash house, according to charging documents.
On Monday, police released more details about the investigation.
Four search warrants have been served since Sept. 3 related to the investigation.
"During the warrants, detectives have seized more than $350,000 worth of THC cartridges, eight handguns, $30,000 in cash and other evidence," the department said in a prepared statement.
Following Madrill's arrest — who police say was the main drug supplier — detectives began rounding up others allegedly involved on Friday and Saturday.
- Riley Talon McNeil, 19, was arrested for investigation of being a restricted person in possession of a gun and drug possession with intent to distribute. He is accused of purchasing "large amounts of cartridges" from Madrill and distributing them to his customers, according to a police booking affidavit. McNeil is already facing drug and weapons charges in 3rd District Court for his alleged role in a fight at a high school prom last year.
- Omar Alejandro Fuentes-Soriano, 18, was arrested for investigation of being a restricted person in possession of a gun, drug distribution and marijuana possession. Police say Fuentes-Soriano also purchased large amounts of THC cartridges from Madrill and would then sell them to his customers.
- Jinedi Ahmed Suber, 18, was arrested for investigation of being in possession of a weapon by a restricted person and marijuana possession. Suber has "violent felony convictions" in juvenile court and was arrested in June for being a restricted person in possession of a gun, the affidavit states. Investigators say he "posted pictures and other media depicting him in possession of firearms and ammunition" and a gun was recovered from his room when he was arrested, according to the affidavit.
- Denzel Eduarth Sencion Herburg, 19, was arrested for investigation of drug distribution, being a restricted person in possession of a gun, and failing to stop for police. Detectives attempted to arrest Herburg on Friday night as he walked out of a Salt Lake City convenience store. He ran from officers who "had to forcibly take down Denzel to gain control of him," a police booking affidavit states. A gun was found in his pocket. "Through the course of this investigation, your affiant has intercepted multiple messages where Denzel has been in possession of multiple firearms," the arresting officer wrote in the affidavit.
- Zinedine Tovar, 21, was arrested for investigation of being a restricted person in possession of a weapon.
- Alex Yescas, 20, was arrested for investigation of being a restricted person in possession of a weapon and failing to stop for police.
- A 16-year-old boy was also arrested.
"The impact of this case will certainly disrupt criminal activity and further protect our communities," Chief Mike Brown said in a prepared statement.
Information about which shootings the group may be connected to was not immediately available.
