PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

August 1, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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SLCPD Seizes Over 150 Fentanyl Pills, Warns of Dangers

SALT LAKE CITY —The Salt Lake City Police Department is warning community members of the dangers associated with fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid drug, after officers recovered more than 150 of the pills during two unrelated stops.

The first investigation started at 12:03 p.m., on Monday, July 31, 2023, when officers assigned to the Geraldine King Homeless Resource Center tried stopping 36-year-old Robert Flores for failing to obey a traffic signal at 800 South 200 East.

Flores ran from officers but was safely taken into custody near 300 East Sherman Avenue.

Officers recovered more than 50 blue M30 pills suspected of containing fentanyl and cocaine.

Officers took Flores to the Salt Lake County Metro Jail and booked him on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to stop at the command of a police officer, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and failure to obey a pedestrian traffic control device.

A photo of the illegal drugs is being released. Media may use this photo with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

1-Photo of cocaine and counterfeit fentanyl pills recovered by police (Salt Lake City Police Department photo | July 31, 2023).

The second investigation started at 6:47 p.m., on Monday, July 31, 2023, when officers assigned to the Liberty Patrol Division spotted 24-year-old Brian Cano-Jimenez at Fairmont Park, located at 1040 East Sugarmont Drive.

Officers knew Cano-Jimenez had active felony warrants.

Officers safely stopped Cano-Jimenez and during their investigation, found more than 120 blue M30 pills, drug paraphernalia, and cash.

Officers took Cano-Jimenez to the Salt Lake County Metro jail and booked him on charges of possession with intent to distribute and possession of a controlled substance.

A photo of the items recovered is being released. Media may use the photo with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

2-Photo of cash and counterfeit fentanyl pills recovered by police (Salt Lake City Police Department photo | July 31, 2023).

“M30s” are fake prescription pills that routinely contain measurable amounts of fentanyl. The pills are usually round tablets and light blue in color. However, they may be found in different shapes and an assortment of colors.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is added to fake pills. Fentanyl continues to be a driving factor in the alarming increase of overdoses nationwide.

When added to pills, fentanyl can be impossible for the human eye to detect or differentiate between an authentic pill. Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

The SLCPD recommends people never accept or take a pill that hasn’t been directly prescribed to them by a licensed physician.

Signs of a fentanyl overdose include blue lips or blue fingertips, unresponsive to sternal rub, body stiffening, foaming at mouth, and confusion.

Naloxone is a medicine that SLCPD officers carry while on duty. It can treat a fentanyl overdose. Naloxone works by rapidly binding to opioid receptors and blocking the effects of opioid drugs.

For more information about fake pills, go to https://www.dea.gov/onepill.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

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