News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 7, 2007
Contact: DEA Salt Lake City
PIO Michael J. Root
Number: 801-524-5031

DEA Task Force Effects Major Drug/Currency Seizure at Kearns, UT
Approximately $500,000 Cash, 1.5 pounds Meth, 4 Weapons, and 8 Vehicles Seized

DEC 7 -- The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Salt Lake City Narcotics Task Force, in a joint operation with the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Utah Highway Patrol and the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Department concluded a major drug investigation early Thursday, December 6, 2007, resulting in three arrests, the seizure of approximately $500,000, 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine, four weapons, and 8 high value vehicles. The investigation into the drug trafficking organization began approximately nine months ago when Agents of the DEA, Utah County Major Crimes Task Force, ICE and the West Jordan Narcotics Unit seized 13 pounds of the methamphetamine in Kearns, Utah. Thursday’s seizures and arrests began after an early morning search warrant was served at a home in Kearns, Utah. At that location, methamphetamine, cash, a handgun, and four vehicles were seized.

Based on information developed from the initial search of the residence in Kearns, additional seizures were made at other locations of cash, 4 vehicles, 3 weapons, and chemicals which were used as adulterants for narcotics. Federal charges for distribution of a controlled substance against the suspects are being screened with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Salt Lake City. State charges against a juvenile suspect are also being filed. Agents believe the organization, based out of Mexico, was one of the main suppliers of methamphetamine to the Salt Lake City area.

Those arrested are identified as Orfil Javier GARZA, 25, U.S. Citizen, Maria Evangelin MARTINEZ-Garza, 34, Mexican National, and Juvenile Male, 15, U.S. Citizen.

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