Tooele's Drug Task Force has been clamping down on drug deals recently with two big busts in a two-week time span.

Last Thursday, undercover officers ended a two-month investigation after arresting two Salt Lake City men for alleged possession and distribution of methamphetamine. The officers arranged to meet the two suspects at a designated spot. When the suspect's vehicle appeared, officers organized a controlled traffic stop and sent a drug dog in to sniff out the drugs.

A half-pound of cocaine and a quarter pound of meth were confiscated from a hidden compartment in the vehicle.

Victor Camargo, 21, and Gustavo Camargo, 28, were taken into custody at the scene and booked into the Tooele County Detention Center on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, as well as use or possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Sgt. Todd Hewitt of the Tooele City Police Department.

Hewitt said the vehicle and $9,500 in cash were also seized.

Another raid, just a week prior, was the culmination of another two-month undercover investigation involving illegal narcotics.

The suspects -- Jeremiah W. Fitzgerald, 23, Gary Allen Schwartz, 22, and Joseph Schwartz, 24 -- were taken into custody Jan. 18 following a raid of a home they were renting located at 1774 N. 80 E. in Overlake.

According to Tooele Drug Task Force Commander Mike Hansen, the task force confiscated marijuana, ecstasy pills, three grams of psilocybin mushrooms and Adderall prescription pills in a clear baggie -- possibly prepackaged for individual sale -- from an open gun safe.

In addition to the drug paraphernalia, Hansen said officers also confiscated assault rifles and a .38 special handgun from the gun safe.

According to Hansen, a pit bull inside the residence was shot multiple times when it attacked officers following their entry.

Fitzgerald and Joseph Schwartz were booked into the Tooele County Detention Center on one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of an illegal firearm.

Gary Schwartz was also booked into the detention center, although with a slightly lesser charge of two counts of first- and second degree distribution, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.

All three suspects made their first appearance in 3rd District Court Thursday. Judge Mark Kouris set bail for each at $50,000 cash.

"I would feel extremely uncomfortable setting it at any less given the charges," Kouris said.

Hansen said some charges may go to federal court, and additional charges will be filed this week.

"The task force has been very busy," Hansen said, adding that the busts don't necessarily reflect an increase in drug dealers within the county, but they could mean that there are more local customers.

"It's the quantities of drugs that are disturbing," Hansen said. "We're moving up the food chain."

Jamie Belnap: jamieb@tooeletranscript.com