Two Utah residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City on charges related to the possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. The indictment follows the seizure of approximately 100,000 pills that field-tested positive for fentanyl during a search at a residence in West Valley City.
The defendants, Elvin Isaac Vega Zuniga, 19, an undocumented Honduran national, and Andrew Estefan Valle Acosta, 19, were initially charged by complaint on September 4, 2025. According to court documents, since May 2025, agents from the FBI and the Davis Metro Narcotics Strike Force have been investigating a drug trafficking organization operating in the area. During their investigation, agents conducted a controlled purchase of fentanyl and identified a location allegedly used for distribution.
On September 2, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the West Valley City residence and seized about 100,000 individual pills suspected to be fentanyl. Authorities noted that Vega Zuniga had previously been found by ICE in 2023 and was given notice regarding his immigration status but continued his involvement in alleged drug trafficking activities despite pending removal proceedings.
Both men are scheduled for their initial appearance on the indictment on September 19, 2025, at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City.
Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah stated: “The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Davis Metro Narcotics Strike Force.”
Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Reichman is prosecuting this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
The prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America. According to officials: “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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).”
Authorities remind that an indictment is only an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
