Two women and one man of Tongan descent in Utah, USA, are facing federal charges of drug trafficking and conspiracy to distribute Methamphetamine in the Salt Lake City area. The three are Makasini Lomu (50) of West Valley City, Siosifina Ositamani (41) of Salt Lake City, and Timote Fangupo (36) of West Jordan.

The trio were among 24 people who were taken into custody by police as part of a major drug bust in Utah late last month. All of the 24 arrested are alleged to have been part of an international drug cartel importing drugs into Utah from Mexico. The bust resulted in the seizure of 17 guns, and 40-pounds of meth.

Following the bust, the U.S. Attorney for Utah, John Huber said at press conference “There’s more out there, but this is a big one – If you are a gang member, know this, you think you are targeting us, well, we are targeting you.”

Edgar Marquez, a neighbour of one of the accused, told KUTV news “It makes me real angry, it’s just stupidity,”

“They don’t think about anyone but themselves, and their money. They don’t think about everybody else’s families.”