Alleged leader of Utah drug trafficking organization arrested after undercover operations

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — A man suspected of being the leader of a northern Utah drug trafficking organization based out of Salt Lake County was arrested Sunday after officers tracked him over several weeks, according to arresting documents.

Rubdiel Camarillo Valdez, 28, is facing two felony charges of distribution of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of altering a vehicle compartment for contraband.

Davis County authorities first began an investigation into the drug trafficking organization in August. According to court documents, investigators conducted several operations where undercover officers would purchase “redistributable quantities of methamphetamine and heroin” from members of the alleged organization.

That’s when documents said they noticed Camarillo Valdez “driving around the neighborhoods where the narcotics transactions took place.”

Authorities said they believed Camarillo Valdez was “conducting counter-surveillance” in the area during the transaction to “detect or deter law enforcement,” and would meet up with the drug seller after the purchases were made.

Earlier this month, authorities said a car suspected of having ties with the drug trafficking group left the state and entered Arizona. When it returned to Utah, authorities said it was traveling with another suspect vehicle for several miles.

Authorities conducted a traffic stop on both vehicles at the same time. Camarillo Valdez was found to be driving one car, and officers located approximately 9,200 grams of methamphetamine and 2,500 grams of heroin in the second car. The second car also had a secret compartment officers believe was used for the transport of drugs.

According to a phone search, Camarillo Valdez had allegedly instructed the two people in the second vehicle to pick up narcotics out of the state and bring them into Utah. However, Camarillo Valdez denied knowing about the narcotics in the other vehicle and stated there were no illicit substances found in his car.

Authorities believe Camarillo Valdez is the leader of the northern Utah drug trafficking organization and “directed the transportation and distribution of significant quantities of narcotics,” documents say.

Camarillo Valdez was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.