CRIME

Man arrested after Uber ride with pound of fentanyl, police say

Dec 4, 2024, 3:39 PM | Updated: 3:39 pm

FILE - Seized fentanyl pills are displayed during a press conference about the dangers and increase...

FILE - Seized fentanyl pills are displayed during a press conference about the dangers and increase in fentanyl at the Drug Enforcement Administration Salt Lake City District Office in Salt Lake City on Thursday. The pills are marked to look like authentic pharmaceutical drugs but are fake and can be deadly. (Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

(Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — A man is in custody after attempting to flee an investigation in an Uber with a pound of fentanyl, police said.

A probable cause statement for the incident named Luis Eduardo Soto Elenes as the suspect in the Salt Lake City drug trafficking investigation. The statement said DEA agents located Elenes at a hotel near the Salt Lake City International Airport. The agents followed him and two others when they got into a car, then performed a traffic stop.

Elenes was driving the car, but didn’t have a license, the statement said. Police searched the car and didn’t find any drugs, but did find “multiple receipts, one from just before the stop, indicating money that was sent to Arizona and to Mexico,” the statement said.

The agents let the three men go since nothing else was found in the car, according to police. However, the agents were able to get a warrant to search the men’s hotel room. When officers got there to serve the warrant, they saw the three men again, this time getting into an unknown vehicle that turned out to be an Uber.

“The vehicle was stopped and subjects were taken and detained,” the statement said. “Approximately one pound of suspected raw fentanyl powder was located and approximately 20,000 blue m30 pills suspected to also contain fentanyl.”

Police believed the men were either trying to relocate to another hotel or prepare to flee the state. Police then searched their room and found more powder and pills that the men left behind, the statement said.

The three men reportedly told police that they had no knowledge of the drugs in their possession.

“The suspect has been distributing fentanyl powder and fentanyl pills in the Salt Lake Valley without regard to the harm they are causing and preying on those with addiction,” the statement said.

Elenes is booked in the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of two felony counts of drug possession with intent to distribute and one misdemeanor count of drug paraphernalia. In the statement, police argued that Elenes should not be released because he is “highly likely to flee the state or flee the country to escape prosecution.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Crime

An officer assigned to the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Pioneer Patrol Division Bike Squad ...

Diana Jones

SLCPD officers arrest 2 people suspected of drug trafficking in Library Square

On Thursday, Salt Lake City Police Department’s Bike Squad arrested two men for a suspected drug trafficking operation in Library Square. 

4 hours ago

Autumn Mercado, who was found dead in her home on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025....

Garna Mejia

Charges pending in case of West Jordan mother found dead, family seeks justice and protection for children

Nearly a month after the discovery of a West Jordan woman's body during a welfare check, charges in the case have yet to be filed.

21 hours ago

Friends and family leaving flowers and mementos in front of Heather Barela's photo....

Jacob Freeman

Charges brought against 15-year-old in Santa Clara murder case

Charges have officially been filed against a 15-year-old accused of killing a family member and wounding another in Santa Clara on Jan. 30.

1 day ago

A tense day in the courtroom as a teen faces adult murder charges in a stabbing death that brings q...

Darby Sparks, KSL

Defense questions motive in Jordan High School teen stabbing death

A tense day in the courtroom as a teen faces adult murder charges in a stabbing death that brings questions of possible gang motive.

2 days ago

Rubicon Contracting trucks parked in Bountiful on Dec. 5, 2023. Utah is asking for its case against...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Utah seeks dismissal of labor trafficking charges in lieu of federal investigation

The Utah Attorney General's Office is asking for state charges against a Davis County general contracting company accused of labor trafficking to be dismissed because of a pending federal investigation.

2 days ago

On Wednesday a probation fugitive fled police leading to a high speed car chase involving several p...

Diana Jones

Multi-department car chase leads to capture of fugitive

ELWOOD, Utah — On Wednesday, a probation fugitive fled from police in a high-speed car chase that involved multiple police departments. At approximately 12:45 p.m., Weber County Adult Probation and Parole received a tip on the location of 24-year-old Brandler Stone. How he became a wanted person In Aug. 2024, Stone was sentenced to serve up […]

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Man arrested after Uber ride with pound of fentanyl, police say