A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City has indicted Alfredo Tovar-Ruiz, a 26-year-old Mexican national living in West Valley City, Utah, on drug-related charges following the seizure of more than 15,000 fentanyl pills and nearly two kilograms of heroin.
According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking organization in July 2025. On August 20, detectives from the Davis Metro Narcotics Strike Force stopped Tovar-Ruiz in a parking lot as he approached a vehicle linked to the organization. After searching both Tovar-Ruiz and the vehicle under a warrant, authorities found approximately 840 fentanyl pills and 29 grams of heroin. A subsequent search at his residence led to the discovery of an additional 1,930 grams of heroin and about 14,780 fentanyl pills. In total, officers seized roughly 15,620 fentanyl pills and 1,959 grams of heroin.
Tovar-Ruiz faces charges for possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. His initial court appearance is set for September 2 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.
Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah announced the indictment.
The investigation was conducted by the Davis Metro Narcotics Strike Force and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Reichman is prosecuting the case.
The prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, which coordinates Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations through programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
"An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
