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- Three people were arrested for distributing fentanyl in Salt Lake Valley.
- The arrests followed a monthslong investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation.
- Over 45,000 fentanyl pills and $34,000 were seized during a search of two storage units.
TAYLORSVILLE — Three people believed to be distributing fentanyl pills throughout the Salt Lake Valley were arrested Thursday in two separate drug busts that yielded nearly 60,000 pills.
Naaman Navarro-Hernandez, 34, Helen Paulina Coello Turcios, 20, and Jeren Navarro, 27, were booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of drug possession with intent to distribute. Navarro was also arrested on suspicion of money laundering and being a restricted person in possession of a weapon. All three people have ties to Honduras and are not in the United States legally, according to several police booking affidavits.
The arrests come on the heels of a monthslong investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation. On Thursday, the Utah Highway Patrol pulled over a vehicle after it left a storage unit in Salt Lake County.
"During the traffic stop, a police K-9 was deployed who gave a positive indication on the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle and the occupants, a large amount of U.S. currency was located. The currency inside the vehicle was (wrapped in rubber bands) in stacks and in various containers. In total over $34,000 was seized from the subjects," an affidavit states.
Search warrants were then obtained for two storage units and approximately 10 pounds of fentanyl pills — over 45,000 pills — were found, according to the arrest report.
"In a closet with a large amount of the pills, agents also found a loaded handgun in a box that the male subject also claimed," police said.
Navarro and Turcios were arrested at that time.
Meanwhile, agents with the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force served a search warrant on Thursday on a residence in Taylorsville where Navarro-Hernandez was staying. Detectives pulled him over as he began to drive away from the residence.
"Within the center console of the vehicle … detectives located approximately 2,500 fentanyl pills. The pills were ... in approximately 100 pill baggies, showing an intent to distribute the controlled substance. A search of Naaman's residence yielded another approximately 11,000 fentanyl pills within his bedroom of the residence. There was also $7,821 cash found in various hiding places within the residence," the affidavit states.
Police also noted that Navarro-Hernandez "regularly conducts illegal drug distribution with his brother in the Salt Lake Valley." Although the brother is not named in the affidavit, police say the brother's car and vehicle were searched and "approximately 40,000 fentanyl pills (and) approximately $50,000 cash" were seized.
Investigators say Navarro-Hernandez also "regularly sends money to Honduras through wire transfers," according to the affidavit.
