by AdriAnne Larsen

alarsen@cherryroad.com

Law enforcement officers in Uintah County have found and seized an array of drugs, narcotics, weapons and cash from a residence after spending months investigating a drug distribution operation.

On Feb. 27, members of the Uintah Basin Narcotic Strike Force, with the assistance of the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office and Adult Probation and Parole, executed a search warrant at a residence located within Uintah County.

“As a result of the search warrant, suspected fentanyl pills, heroin, and methamphetamine were confiscated,” said Mike Gledhill, the Uintah Basin Narcotic Strike Force commander. “Also $7,000 in cash suspected to be associated with the distribution of the illegal narcotics was seized. In addition, psilocybin mushrooms, numerous narcotic pills, a firearm, and other weapons were confiscated.”

Gledhill said that two individuals were located inside the residence at the time of the warrant service.

“Both individuals were arrested and booked into the Uintah County Jail on multiple charges, including three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person,” he said.

In his statement, Gledhill emphasized that the strike force is extremely concerned about the presence of fentanyl being distributed within the Basin community.

“Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and exposure to the drug is dangerous and potentially deadly,” Gledhill said. “If you have information about fentanyl and or other illegal narcotics, please contact the Uintah Basin secret witness/tip line at (435) 789-8888.”

The Uintah Basin Narcotic Strike Force is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force that consists of members from the Vernal City Police Department, Uintah County Sheriff’s Office, Naples City Police Department, Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office, and the Roosevelt City Police Department.