Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Sandra Yi ReportingFive people are behind bars after authorities bust a large drug ring in the Park City area. The bust comes after a six month undercover investigation.
The dollar estimate of the drugs involved is unknown, but police say the arrests take a big bite out of a large local drug ring.
Sgt. Phil Kirk, Park City Police Dept.: "Talking about a fair quantity of drugs in a very large ring of individuals working together in the Summit County area."
Undercover agents bought drugs from the suspects. They were allegedly dealing large amounts of cocaine on the streets of Park City and Summit and Wasatch Counties.
Five people, four men and one woman, were arrested yesterday on charges of distribution and conspiracy. Authorities believe most of the crimes happened in and around the Park City Mountain Resort. Two of the suspects worked at restaurants there.
Sgt. Phil Kirk, Park City Police Dept.: "We're pretty tough on drugs up here and this was a good opportunity for us to take a huge bite of this drug ring that had been operating for quite a while."
Police say one of the suspects, Elias Gutierrez, is an illegal immigrant. He was arrested for the same crimes two years ago, but posted bail pending a deportation hearing and returned to Park City.
Authorities say cocaine is more prevalent in Park City than in other areas. They believe the five suspects are some of the main players in the ring.
Sgt. Phil Kirk, Park City Police Dept.: "It's a pretty expensive drug. More and more people are converting over to methamphetamine or meth, but this ring was operating with pushing cocaine primarily."
Police are investigating other possible suspects involved in the alleged ring. They say more arrests could come.
