United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SALT LAKE CITY – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) seized approximately 170,000 fentanyl pills in Utah operations last month.

In less than two weeks in June, 170,000 fentanyl pills were seized across the state.

This represents 25.6% of the total fentanyl pill seizures in Utah in all of 2023.

A record 664,000+ fentanyl pills were seized in Utah in calendar year 2023.

“The number of fentanyl pills seized just last month proves the drug cartels primarily operating in Mexico are not slowing down production and distribution of this deadly poison. Every day, the men and women of DEA in Utah and across our Division – along with our partner agencies – are working around the clock to get fentanyl of the streets,” said DEA RMFD Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen. “Fentanyl pills and powder are out there, and the cartels targeting Utah do not care if you and the family are in summer vacation mode. DEA continues to urge you to discuss the lethal nature of fentanyl with family, friends and within your community.”

DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division is comprised of four states: Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Last year a record 3.4 million fentanyl pills were seized across the Division.

“The recent seizures totaling 170,000 fentanyl pills in Utah means more than likely, lives have been saved – from St. George to Logan, Moab to Wendover – and across the state,” said Dustin Gillespie, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Salt Lake City District Office.

Investigations into the seized shipments are ongoing and as such, specific case information is not being released at this time.

More than 108,000 Americans died of a drug overdose/poisoning last year, and 70% involved fentanyl. DEA lab testing has shown that seven of every ten fentanyl pills contain a potential lethal dose.

Resources can be found at www.DEA.gov/onepill

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