PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

December 6, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

Media Request Form: https://slcpd.com/mediarequest/

SLCPD Conducts Several Drug-Related Search Warrants at Downtown Motel

SALT LAKE CITY — Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department have safely executed several search warrants at a local motel in response to community complaints and recent criminal activity.

On Thursday, December 4, 2024, officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Central Patrol Division responded to a motel, located at 176 West 600 South, on a drug problem.

During their investigation, officers located marijuana, cocaine, and other drug paraphernalia.

Officers booked 22-year-old Yeno Oliver into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges that include unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officers also booked 25-year-old Hisso Buwa into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges that include unlawful use or possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Separately, detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit conducted a search warrant at the motel on a different room as part of another drug investigation.

During that investigation, detectives seized fentanyl powder, cocaine, methamphetamine, and nearly $2,000 in cash.

Detectives will work with prosecutors to determine if criminal charges will be filed in this case.

The Salt Lake City Police Department’s Central Bike Squad and the Salt Lake City Police Department’s SWAT Team assisted safely executing the search warrants as part of these two investigations.

On Friday, December 6, 2024, the Salt Lake County Health Department closed one of the rooms searched due to health concerns and drug-exposure issues.

For months, the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Central Patrol Division has taken an aggressively proactive approach toward addressing crime occurring at and around the motel. These crimes have included aggravated assaults, sexual assaults, robberies, and drug trafficking.

The Salt Lake City Police Department’s Central Patrol Division’s District Community Liaison Officer and the SLCPD’s Business Community Engagement Officer have worked with multiple city departments, including Salt Lake City Fire, to address several public safety issues at the motel.

Since July 1, 2024, the Salt Lake City Police Department has generated more than 25 reports on crime occurring at the motel.

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.

Photo: Salt Lake City police and officials with the Salt Lake County Health Department close a room for health concerns following a drug investigation and search warrant (SLCPD photo – December 6, 2024)

Photo: Salt Lake City police and officials with the Salt Lake County Health Department close a room for health concerns following a drug investigation and search warrant (SLCPD photo – December 6, 2024)

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