SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A 23-year-old man from Bluffdale, Utah, is facing serious drug trafficking charges after authorities discovered a large quantity of fentanyl and heroin during a traffic stop in Juab County.
Miguel Mario Soto De Santiago, a Mexican national, has been charged with possession of fentanyl and heroin with the intent to distribute. The arrest followed an ongoing investigation led by the Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF), which includes collaboration with the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and the Davis Metro Narcotic Strike Force (DMNSF).
The investigation into Soto De Santiago’s alleged drug activities began after authorities suspected he was involved in distributing narcotics throughout Utah and the United States. On February 19, 2025, agents stopped a vehicle registered to Soto De Santiago in Juab County. A K9 officer’s alert signaled the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle, prompting a search that led to the discovery of approximately 5,027 grams (11 pounds) of fentanyl and over 1,103 grams (2 pounds) of heroin.
The drugs were field-tested and confirmed to be fentanyl and heroin. The seizure is considered significant, as fentanyl is a highly potent opioid, often associated with overdose deaths across the United States. Soto De Santiago was taken into custody the following day, and on February 20, he was formally charged with possession of the drugs with the intent to distribute.
This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the rise in fentanyl trafficking and heroin distribution in Utah. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, and Soto De Santiago faces serious charges that could result in significant penalties.
As is the case with all criminal charges, the allegations against Soto De Santiago are considered only charges at this time. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Authorities continue to investigate Soto De Santiago’s possible co-conspirators, with more arrests potentially on the horizon as part of the larger drug trafficking investigation.
