A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment on July 22 charging two Honduran nationals residing illegally in Utah with drug crimes after law enforcement allegedly seized approximately 7,500 fentanyl pills intended for distribution in the District of Utah.
Kevin Arrazola-Canaca, age 26 and residing in Tooele County, and Eddy Otel Arrazola-Canaca, age 34 and residing in Kearns, were charged by complaint on July 16. According to court documents, law enforcement executed a search warrant on July 15 on a vehicle and residence. Officers first encountered Eddy during a traffic stop; following a search warrant, detectives found about 295 grams of pills testing positive for fentanyl hidden within the car’s dashboard. That same day at a residence where Kevin was present alone, detectives located approximately 455 grams of fentanyl-laced pills and $17,503 in cash. In total, Eddy possessed around 2,950 fentanyl pills while Kevin had about 4,550. Both men were arrested.
Court documents confirm that both individuals are not citizens of the United States. The indictment charges them with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Their initial appearance is scheduled for July 23 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States Courthouse before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak announced the charges. The case is being investigated jointly by the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement provided significant assistance. Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Reichman is prosecuting.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at countering illegal immigration and eliminating cartels as well as transnational criminal organizations.
An indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah enforces federal laws to protect residents across all counties—including areas with national parks and Indian reservations—and promotes community safety through public initiatives such as victim assistance programs from offices based in Salt Lake City and St. George under the Department of Justice structure with about eighty-five employees including forty-five assistant attorneys, according to the official website.