FBI investigation leads to woman being charged for alleged involvement in drug trafficking organization across Utah

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — A foreign national in Utah was charged and indicted Wednesday with several drug crimes, including allegedly possessing and intending to distribute narcotics like heroin, methamphetamine, and 11,700 fentanyl pills.

Martha Isela Navarro Chapas, 31, of West Jordan, along with other members of a drug trafficking organization, were believed to be distributing large quantities of narcotics in the District of Utah, the Department of Justice said.

On Thursday, March 21, federal agents with the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force arrested Chapas. The DOJ said agents advised her they had two search warrants for her West Jordan residence, and seized approximately 23.35 (package weight) grams of suspected fentanyl pills, approximately 2.05 grams (package weight) of field-tested positive cocaine, and $1,318.

Shortly after, during the execution of the search warrant at the first residence, agents seized 2,287 grams (package weight) of field-tested positive methamphetamine, 953 grams (package weight) of field-tested positive fentanyl, which included an estimated 9,500 pills, and 417 grams (package weight) of field-tested positive heroin, the DOJ said.

During the execution of the search warrant at the second residence, agents reportedly seized 219 grams (package weight) of suspected fentanyl pills, which contained an estimated 2,200 pills. Agents also seized $25,598, the DOJ said.

Chapas was charged Wednesday with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

This case is being investigated by the Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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