FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 21, 2025

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SLCPD Violent Criminal Apprehension Team Seize 2,500 Fentanyl Pills, 3 Firearms

SALT LAKE CITY — Detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD)’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) recently seized thousands of fentanyl pills, three firearms, and other drugs as part of a dedicated and focused effort to remove drugs and guns off our streets.

“This is exactly why our Violent Criminal Apprehension Team exists,” said Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown. “Fentanyl—along with meth and heroin—continues to devastate our communities. The people who are illegally distributing these deadly drugs—while also in illegal possession of firearms—pose an immediate danger to our public safety. As a department, we are focused and determine not to allow people a place in Salt Lake City where they can sell or buy drugs without consequence.”

This investigation started around 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025, as VCAT detectives conducted proactive patrols near 1000 South Main Street. During their patrols, they saw activity consistent with illegal transactions involving a man later identified as 34-year-old Marco Antonio Lopez.

During their investigation, VCAT detectives developed probable cause and obtained a search warrant for Lopez’s motel room, leading to the discovery and seizure of 2,500 fentanyl pills, nearly 50 grams of methamphetamine, more than 15 grams of heroin, nearly 50 grams of crack cocaine, three firearms—two of which were reported as stolen—and $3,100 in cash.

Detectives booked Lopez into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a restricted person.

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’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) is a specialized unit focused on reducing violent crime by identifying and arresting dangerous criminals and fugitives. Part of the Special Operations Division, VCAT works closely to target high-crime areas and address surges in violence. Created to tackle repeat offenders and emerging crime trends, VCAT collaborates with detectives, the Salt Lake Information Center (SLIC) and the Crime Intelligence and Analysis Unit (CIAU) to bring violent offenders to justice.

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.

The information contained in this news release is based on a preliminary review of the details available to the Salt Lake City Police Department. As the investigation progresses, information may change.

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