Police say drug ring run by teen had ties to many Utah schools
Nov 19, 2019, 8:35 AM | Updated: 8:58 am
Ntwydamala Christian Cook Salt Lake County Jail
WEST JORDAN, Utah — Police are unraveling what they say was a drug ring that stretched over state lines and into schools across the Salt Lake Valley — one they say was all run by a West Jordan teenager.
The Deseret News reports that the drugs in the ring made it into nearly every high school in Salt Lake County, and a number of middle schools as well. They even branched out into other states. And police say the accused ringleader, Ntwydamala Christian Cook, is just 19.
According to police, the sales took place online — often through Snapchat — with drugs shipped via postal service.
Police say everything from black market THC vape cartridges to ecstasy and fentanyl were included in the drug ring.
The Deseret News quoted a West Jordan detective, who was not identified because he is still investigating, as saying it’s the biggest case he’s ever handled.
We look under one rock and it takes us in five other directions. The amount of drugs this person has put into the community, it’s literally impacted everywhere. I can put it in almost every high school in the valley and some of the surrounding counties.
Cook is in custody, facing felony charges of engaging in a continuous criminal enterprise, drug distribution, purchase or possession of a firearm by a restricted person, forgery, and production of a controlled substance.
Charging documents filed in 3rd District Court allege Cook had at least five employees working for him. So far, they’ve arrested three other people, including Cook’s mother. Detectives say the drugs and guns from this ring may also be connected to a lot of violent crimes.
They say the drug ring was incredibly profitable, allowing one of the suspects to reportedly pay cash for a $30,000 Mercedes, all without working a full-time job.
