A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City has indicted Jesus Aaron Camacho Duarte, a 25-year-old Mexican national residing illegally in Salt Lake City, on drug trafficking charges after law enforcement agents seized more than 70,000 fentanyl pills during two operations.
According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating Camacho Duarte in December 2025 following information from an undercover officer about his alleged involvement in illegal drug trafficking. Agents arranged a controlled purchase of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl from Camacho Duarte.
On February 4, 2026, agents surveilled Camacho Duarte’s residence and stopped his vehicle, which had been identified as part of their investigation into narcotics distribution. A K9 unit detected drugs in the vehicle. Authorities seized approximately 10,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills—testing positive for fentanyl—from the car and arrested Camacho Duarte.
Following his arrest, agents executed a search warrant at his residence and found another 64,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills that also tested positive for fentanyl.
Camacho Duarte faces charges including two counts of distribution of fentanyl, possession of fentanyl, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. His initial court appearance is scheduled for February 20 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak announced the indictment. The DEA is leading the investigation with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelsy B. Young is prosecuting the case.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime,” according to officials.
Authorities emphasized that an indictment is only an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
