By Roberto Bustamante
A Mexican immigrant was detained by order of a federal judge after being indicted last week by a federal grand jury, after the seizure of approximately 240,000 fentanyl pills hidden in furniture panels.
According to court documents, Crisantos Javier Sotelo Valencia27, was illegally residing in West Valley City, Utah, and was arrested on March 3, 2026 during the execution of an arrest warrant related to a previous investigation in which he was charged in a federal drug trafficking case.
During the execution of the warrant, agents also confiscated several of Valencia’s cell phones. On these phones, They found several videos of Valencia with large amounts of cash and narcoticsincluding fentanyl.
The videos showed ready-to-assemble composite wood furniture, where narcotics were hidden. After reviewing body camera footage taken during Valencia’s arrest, officers suspected the furniture was in his home.
On March 25, 2026, agents executed a search warrant at the residence where they located and confiscated bags filled with blue M30 pills, hidden within wood paneling.
The pills field tested positive for fentanyl. The total weight of the fentanyl seized was 23,701.63 grams, almost 24 kilos (approximately 240,000 fentanyl pills). Valencia had previously been deported on October 30, 2025.
Valencia is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. A jury trial is scheduled for July 6, 2026, in Orrin G. Hatch District Court in downtown Salt Lake City.
This case is part of Operation Rob Assist The US, a national initiative that mobilizes the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel illegal immigration, achieve the complete elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from perpetrators of violent crimes.
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