A Mexican national has been indicted on federal drug charges in Salt Lake City. The indictment follows a significant seizure of illicit drugs, including fentanyl, in the District of Utah.
Juana Gabriela Sancion Castaneda, 41, from Salt Lake County, was initially charged by complaint on February 19, 2025. According to court documents, the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF) began investigating Castaneda and others in January 2025 for their involvement in a drug trafficking organization suspected of distributing large quantities of narcotics within the district.
On February 18, agents executed a search warrant at Castaneda's residence in Salt Lake County. They seized approximately 867 grams of fentanyl and 794 grams of heroin. The fentanyl included around 8,000 pills. Following the search, Castaneda was detained.
Castaneda faces charges for possession with intent to distribute both fentanyl and heroin. Her initial court appearance is set for March 10, 2025, at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah. The investigation is being conducted by the WMDTF with contributions from the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and the Davis Metro Narcotic Strike Force (DMNSF). The prosecution is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.