Three Mexican nationals living in Salt Lake City have been indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple drug charges following the seizure of significant quantities of fentanyl and heroin. The three individuals, identified as Silvano Gonzalez Venavidez (also known as Eduardo Torres-Zepeda), 34; Edgar Ulises Torres Cervantes (also known as Juan Maldonado Garcia), 38; and Carlos Roberto Limon Martinez, 21, were charged after law enforcement officials conducted searches at their residences and vehicles.
Court documents state that the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force began investigating the defendants and others in November 2025 for suspected involvement in distributing large amounts of narcotics within Utah. On January 13, 2026, agents executed search warrants on properties associated with the accused. In Martinez’s vehicle, authorities found approximately 135 grams of heroin and over 500 grams of fentanyl—equivalent to about 5,000 pills—in a hidden compartment. Additional searches yielded nearly 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl (about 14,000 pills) and more than 400 grams of heroin.
A subsequent search at Venavidez’s residence led to the discovery of roughly 15 kilograms of fentanyl (about 150,000 pills) and more than 400 grams of heroin. Agents also located Cervantes in his vehicle with approximately 200 grams of heroin and nearly 900 grams of fentanyl—around 8,000 pills—in another concealed compartment.
The defendants face charges including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin, as well as possession with intent to distribute both substances. Their trial is scheduled for April 6, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah announced the indictment. The investigation was led by the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Reichman 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 remind that an indictment is an allegation only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
