SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)), published as received.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today on an alleged drug trafficker, living in the United States illegally, for drug crimes after agents seized 74,000 fentanyl pills during two separate drug seizures in the District of Utah.
Jesus Aaron Camacho Duarte, 25, of Mexico, illegally residing in Salt Lake City, was initially charged by complaint on February 5, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, in December 2025 agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information from a DEA undercover officer concerning illegal drug trafficking by an individual later identified as Camacho Duarte. Agents then conducted an undercover controlled purchase of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl from Camacho Duarte. On February 4, 2026, agents conducted surveillance at Camacho Duarte’s residence and observed his vehicle, which was identified during their investigation, as being used to facilitate the distribution of narcotics. Agents conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle driven by Camacho Duarte, and a narcotics K9 was deployed and indicated positive for the presence of narcotics. Agents seized approximately 10,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills (1,246 grams) from the vehicle, which field-tested positive for the presence of fentanyl. Camacho Duarte was arrested.
Agents then executed a search warrant at Camacho Duarte’s residence seized approximately 64,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills (6,406.1 grams) which field-tested positive for the presence of fentanyl.
Camacho Duarte is charged with two counts of distribution of fentanyl, possession of fentanyl, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for February 20, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelsy B. Young of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
