SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Utah), published as received.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment against a previously removed Mexican national for alleged drug trafficking after detectives with the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force seized approximately 11,000 individual fentanyl pills.

Brajhan Luna-Vazquez, 24, residing unlawfully in Millcreek, Utah, was initially charged by complaint on March 23, 2026.

According to the allegations in court documents, beginning in November 2025, the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force initiated a criminal investigation into a group believed to be distributing fentanyl in the District of Utah. A controlled purchase of fentanyl was conducted and during the controlled purchase a male, later identified as Luna-Vazquez, arrived in a white sedan and sold fentanyl. A search warrant was obtained for an apartment in which Luna-Vazquez was residing at in Millcreek, and a white sedan. On March 18, 2026, detectives stopped the white sedan pursuant to the search warrant. Luna-Vazquez was the driver and sole-occupant of the vehicle. A search warrant was also executed on the apartment in Millcreek. In total, detectives found approximately 1,111 grams of fentanyl pills, which field tested positive for fentanyl. Luna-Vazquez was previously removed from the United States on September 5, 2025.

Luna-Vazquez is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and reentry of a previously removed alien. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 9, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

First Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.

The case is being investigated by the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force (UCMC). Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Reichman 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.