FBI agents indict woman, seize 28,000 fentanyl pills in Utah drug bust

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — A woman living in Midvale was formally charged by a federal grand jury on Wednesday after FBI agents allegedly seized thousands of grams of illicit drugs from her residence.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice , Leonilde Andrea Lopez Vargas, 35, was arrested last month after a seven-month-long investigation by the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force.

Vargas was indicted Wednesday, July 3, and is facing several drug charges including possession of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine with intent to distribute.

On June 18, agents seized thousands of grams of illegal drugs from Vargas’ residence and vehicle, including what amounted to about 28,000 fentanyl pills. Throughout the investigation, agents reportedly seized an approximate total of 3,484 grams of fentanyl, 2,151 grams of heroin, 1,182 grams of cocaine, and 2,370 grams of methamphetamine.

This case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces , which “identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations” in the U.S., the news release read. Authorities believe she was attaining and distributing drugs through a drug trafficking organization.

Vargas will appear in court on July 8 at the U.S. District Courthouse in Salt Lake City.

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