5 arrested on Jordan River Trail, 1k fentanyl pills seized in SLCPD enforcement operation

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Salt Lake City Police arrested five people and seized a large number of suspected fentanyl pills along the Jordan River Trail on Saturday, Feb. 22.

During a “lull in calls for service,” a press release from SLCPD states, officers conducted an operation targeting criminal activity on the Jordan River Trail near 500 North Redwood Road.

Several people reportedly ran from the area as police arrived, according to the release. Officers pursued on foot and arrested a suspect — later identified as David Lopez, 48. Lopez was in possession of suspected fentanyl pills, police said, and was a person of interest in a West Valley City property crime-related offense.

SLCPD arrested a total of five people during the enforcement operation, “all of whom were allegedly found in possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, and/or had outstanding warrants,” the release states.

Javier Omar Balle-Hernandez, 33, was found to be in alleged possession of around 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills and several hundred dollars in cash, police said. Balle-Hernandez is also accused of fleeing from police and providing false information to officers.

“The SLCPD remains committed to addressing criminal activity along the Jordan River Trail and other high-crime areas through proactive enforcement,” the release states. “This operation highlights the SLCPD’s continued efforts to disrupt illegal drug distribution and improve community safety.”

No further information is available at this time.