Salt Lake City Police Arrest 20 People Along Jordan River Trail Using Undercover Officers

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — As part of police efforts to reduce criminal activity along the Jordan River Trail, the Salt Lake City Police Department carried out an operation this month, arresting 20 people and seizing hundreds of illegal drugs.

Since October 2023, the SLCPD's Pioneer Patrol Division has increased its patrols around the Jordan River Trail and neighboring areas by conducting daily patrols, weekly strategy meetings and occasional law enforcement operations, according to a recent release Press.

The latest operations, which took place on June 15 and 19, involved officers from the SLCPD and the Utah Department of Corrections, Adult Probation and Parole (AP&P).

Authorities said they arrested 20 people and seized methamphetamine, marijuana, more than 500 fentanyl pills, two illegally possessed firearms and more than $2,000 in cash. As part of the operation, undercover agents purchased drugs from dealers, ultimately leading to their arrest.

“The overall objective of this operation was to identify, locate and arrest drug dealers, dealers and buyers along the Jordan River Trail,” the SLCPD press release states.

Last month, police arrested more than 30 people on the Jordan and Folsom trails as part of another operation. In April, 28 people were arrested and more than 2,000 fentanyl pills were seized.

Although the schedule of operations is not public information, the SLCPD has carried out at least one operation every month this year. The ministry said it anticipated similar operations would be carried out in the future.

The SLCPD said it has been working on a multidisciplinary approach since October and has coordinated with city, regional and state agencies to help address concerns about the Jordan River Trail.