A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City indicted Lester Levi Carias Zuniga, a 29-year-old Honduran national, on April 2 for allegedly attempting to distribute fentanyl and reentering the United States after removal.
The case is significant as it involves the seizure of approximately 2,500 individual fentanyl pills from Carias Zuniga’s vehicle and residence. Fentanyl distribution has been a growing concern due to its impact on public health and safety.
According to court documents, detectives with the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force received information in March that Carias Zuniga was distributing fentanyl throughout the Salt Lake area. A controlled purchase was conducted, during which he arrived in a Toyota Camry. Surveillance led detectives to his West Jordan residence. After obtaining a search warrant, authorities stopped him on March 18 while he was driving the Camry. They found about 40 grams of fentanyl pills packaged in multiple baggies inside the vehicle and an additional 4.7 grams of fentanyl powder on his person; both substances tested positive for fentanyl. At his residence, detectives seized approximately 206 grams of fentanyl pills and another 16 grams of powder.
Carias Zuniga had previously been removed from the United States in 2018 but was found again without evidence of lawful permission during this incident. He faces charges including possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and reentry after removal. His jury trial is scheduled for June 9 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse.
First Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak announced the indictment. The investigation involved cooperation between local task forces and federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Special United States Attorney Pete Reichman will prosecute the case as part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and criminal organizations.
Authorities remind that "an indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
