Salt Lake City, Utah — The Utah Department of Public Safety’s DPS State Bureau of Investigation SBI Narcotics Unit has been named the 2024 Task Force of the Year by the Rocky Mountain High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area HIDTA.
This award highlights their outstanding work in tackling the fentanyl crisis and other dangerous drugs across the state.
According to a DPS press release, the team was honored for its dedication to reducing the spread of fentanyl and other harmful narcotics in Utah.
DPS Commissioner Jess L. Anderson commended the team’s efforts, saying, Fentanyl’s impact is devastating, but this team has gone above and beyond to protect our communities. Their work saves lives and ensures traffickers are held accountable.
In 2024, the team made history by seizing over 240,000 fentanyl pills in one operation — the largest seizure of its kind in Utah.
They also set records for removing large amounts of meth, heroin, cocaine, and other drugs from communities statewide.
The Narcotics Unit also led the Downtown Safety Initiative DSI in areas like the Jordan River Trail and State Fair Park District.
Their efforts significantly reduced the availability of fentanyl pills in these areas, causing prices to jump from $3 to $10 per pill.
Many arrested individuals reported they could no longer find pills due to the shortage, proving the operation’s success.
This recognition reflects the unit’s hard work and dedication to making Utah safer.
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