Man charged in Utah after investigation into large illicit drug distribution scheme

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A foreign national living in Utah was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday for several federal drug crimes — including possessing methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroine, and cocaine.

Mauricio Hermosillo Becerra, 26, of Taylorsville was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, May 23.

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According to court documents, Hermosillo Becerra was stopped by the West Valley City Police Department and the Metro Narcotics Task Force on May 7, after leaving a residence. He had reportedly been under surveillance as part of a larger investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration for alleged narcotics distribution in connection with a Las Vegas-based drug trafficking organization.

During this stop, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said authorities seized approximately three pounds of methamphetamine, several ounces of heroin and approximately 2,000 counterfeit M30 fentanyl pills from his vehicle.

During the course of the investigation, authorities also reportedly seized 23 pounds of methamphetamine, 15,000 fentanyl pills, 2.7 pounds of heroin, and 239 grams of cocaine from his Taylorsville residence.

“All the narcotics field tested positive,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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