61 people to be charged as part of Weber County drug ring

The Weber-Morgan Narcotics Strike Force has arrested a former Ogden man who allegedly was leading a large, complex drug organization that spanned four states.

Police said ultimately 61 people will face more than 180 felony charges.

Police said Darren Lujan, 37, now a resident of Phoenix, was leading the drug trafficking organization, which was responsible for smuggling large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana into the Weber County area.

Lujan was a former Ogden Trece gang member, police said. His drug organization involved several Latino gangs, including the Trece, as well as white supremacist organizations, police allege.

In all, his organization smuggled hundreds of pounds of meth from Arizona to northern Utah. The meth would then be sold in Utah, Montana and North Dakota by Lujan's associates, police allege.

Police said the arrest of Lujan and nine associates from Weber County followed a year-long investigation involving local, state and federal authorities.

In all investigators seized more than 15 pounds of meth and more than a pound of heroin, marijuana, cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms. Authorities also reported that they seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and assets.

Lujan faces 21 felony charges in Weber County for arranging to distribute a controlled substance and one count of operating a criminal enterprise, police said.

jstecklein@sltrib.com

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