Salt Lake City, UT — A 46-year-old man was arrested on March 7 after law enforcement officers discovered nearly 1,000 fentanyl pills hidden beneath his mattress in a motel room near 700 West North Temple. The arrest follows an investigation by the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT), which led to the execution of a search warrant at the location.
Authorities had prior information indicating that the suspect, identified as Luis Ricardo Chavez-Rodriguez, may have access to firearms, prompting the deployment of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s SWAT team to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the operation. During the search, officers uncovered approximately 834 fentanyl pills under the mattress, but Chavez-Rodriguez later admitted to possessing a total of 1,000 pills.
Chavez-Rodriguez reportedly told investigators that he bought the pills for $2 to $3 each and sold them for $5 per pill. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a second-degree felony. He was subsequently booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.
The arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to combat the growing issue of fentanyl distribution in the region. Chavez-Rodriguez, a U.S. citizen, remains in custody pending further investigation.