Foreign national accused of attempting to distribute 10,000 fentanyl pills in Utah

Rainbow Fentanyl is on the rise and targeting young people to get them addicted early. Photo: Drug Enforcement Agency

FBI agents found nearly 4,000 grams of methamphetamine mixture and over 1,000 grams of fentanyl mixture in the man's home

SALT LAKE CITY — A foreign national living in Utah appeared in court Monday after he was indicted May 29 by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City for multiple federal drug crimes involving methamphetamine and fentanyl pills.

21-year-old Francisco Javier Quintero-Obeso of Magna has been charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Utah, the FBI began looking into Quintero-Obeso in December 2023 for allegedly intending to distribute large quantities of narcotics.

During this investigation, agents seized nearly 4,000 grams of methamphetamine mixture and over 1,000 grams of fentanyl mixture, which is estimated to be 10,000 pills, and $9,420 from Quintero-Obeso’s residence before arresting him.

Quintero-Obeso’s jury trial is set for Aug. 5 and is anticipated to last for three days. It will take place at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

This case is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement with the aim to reduce violent crime and gun violence.