DPS NEWS

Members of the Utah Highway Patrol’s Operation Rio Grande outreach officer team joined community members at the 2018 Utah Recovery Day Celebration in Salt Lake City. Troopers Kunz and Trooper Zubal reconnected with individuals who they first met near the Rio Grande District and were able to engage with them on a new and sober […]

We are two weeks into our coordinated enforcement surge on North Temple.  We have been working with Salt Lake City Police (SLCPD) in attempt to curtail the distribution of narcotics and other criminal activity in the area. State Bureau of Investigation agents and Utah Highway Patrol troopers from the Department of Public Safety and officers from […]

Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Lieutenant Governor Spencer J. Cox presented awards during the Governor’s Award for Excellence ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda on May 17, 2018.  The Governor’s Award for Excellence provides an opportunity for state employees to be recognized for outstanding public service and achievements that display dedication to the citizens of Utah. The […]

State Bureau of Investigation Agents Roy Contreras and Josh Workman received special recognition at the US District courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. The pair were presented with the United States Attorney’s Award for their efforts in disrupting drug operations as a part of the Operation Rio Grande Drug Task Force. Colonel Brian Redd, who […]

A new Utah Highway Patrol unit is trying to build relationships with the homeless in the Rio Grande neighborhood, but its attention to detail also recently helped reunite a man with the family who had been searching for him for the past two years. Bonnie Kunz, one of five outreach troopers now working the area, […]

In March, the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD), Murray Police, West Valley Police along with Adult Probation and Parole (AP&P), conducted an operation that focused on the Rio Grande district over a one-day period. During that time officers made more than two-dozen arrests and made contact with […]

Agents and troopers with the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) and officers with Salt Lake City Police gathered on Rio Grande Street Wednesday morning to have donuts and coffee with residents. As part of an effort to have an open dialogue with individuals who call the Rio Grande district home, officers from both agencies […]

As part of Operation Rio Grande, Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Agents served their 23rd search warrant. The warrant was served at a residence in the Glendale area of Salt Lake City on the morning of Tuesday, February 27. Agents became aware of a group of Honduran nationals who were […]

The Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Operation Rio Grande Task Force and the DPS Criminal Interdiction team has compiled the following narcotics seized since the start of Operation Rio Grande on August 14. Below is a six month update of the seizures by DPS agents: Operation Rio Grand Task Force Seizures Spice: 75 jars (10 […]

In January, the Department of Public Safety’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Narcotics Agents received information related to a Honduran drug trafficking organization responsible for the distribution of heroin and cocaine around the Salt Lake Valley.  Agents were able to identify six subjects associated with the drug trafficking group. After further investigation, SBI Agents were […]

Significant Updates: Latest statistics: the numbers of jail booked arrests are continuing to decrease as Operation Rio Grande continues. The number of arrests with a use of force was zero during week 21. There were 32 drug-related arrests during this week. Since the operation began on August 14, the grand total jail booked arrests is now […]

If life were about “looking the part,” then a Belgian Malinois would almost always win the role of police K-9. The “strong and silent” type would routinely be typecast into roles like searching for suspects and sniffing for drugs. Sometimes, though, officers are in need of a little less fight and a little more finesse. […]

Significant Updates: Latest statistics: the numbers of jail booked arrests are continuing to decrease as Operation Rio Grande continues. The number of arrests with a use of force was zero during week 20. There were 25 drug-related arrests during this week. Since the operation began on August 14, the grand total jail booked arrests is now […]

Significant Updates: Latest statistics: the numbers of jail booked arrests are continuing to decrease as Operation Rio Grande continues. The number of arrests with a use of force was zero during week 19. There were 23 drug-related arrests during this week. Since the operation began on August 14, the grand total jail booked arrests is now […]

Significant Updates: Latest statistics: the numbers of jail booked arrests are continuing to decrease as Operation Rio Grande continues. The number of arrests with a use of force was zero during week 18. There were 35 drug-related arrests during this week. Since the operation began on August 14, the grand total jail booked arrests is now […]

Agents with the Utah Department of Public Safety and multiple law enforcement agencies from across the Salt Lake Valley collaborated on an operation to take down criminal activity across the Salt Lake Valley. This operation was based on direct intelligence gathered through Operation Rio Grande. On the morning of December 12 officers from DPS’ State […]

Significant Updates: Latest statistics: the numbers of jail booked arrests are continuing to decrease as Operation Rio Grande continues. The number of arrests with a use of force was zero during week 16. There were 38 drug-related arrests during this week. Since the operation began on August 14, the grand total jail booked arrests is now […]

Significant Updates: Latest statistics: the numbers of jail booked arrests are continuing to decrease as Operation Rio Grande continues. The number of arrests with a use of force was zero during week 15. There were 27 drug-related arrests during this week. Since the operation began on August 14, the grand total jail booked arrests is now […]

In the month of November, agents from the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have arrested multiple known drug dealers in connection to intelligence gathered during Operation Rio Grande. SBI agents arrested a local drug dealer and seized five pounds of methamphetamine likely destined for the Rio Grande area. Additionally, agents executed a search warrant in […]

Significant Updates: Latest statistics: the numbers of jail booked arrests are continuing to decrease as Operation Rio Grande continues.  The number of arrests with a use of force was zero during week 15. There were 26 drug-related arrests during this week. Since the operation began on August 14, the grand total jail booked arrests is […]

For the past 14 weeks, the Department of Public Safety’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) agents have been working diligently to break up the vast drug networks that are preying on a vulnerable population in our state. Suppression operations, search warrants and daily police work have resulted in 126 distribution arrests and more than eight […]

Significant Updates: Latest statistics: the numbers of jail booked arrests are continuing to decrease as Operation Rio Grande continues.  The number of arrests with a use of force was zero during week 13. There were 36 drug-related arrests during this week. Since the operation began on August 14, the grand total jail booked arrests is […]

Four spice overdoses have been reported in the Rio Grande district in a four-day period this month, which have emergency responders on alert. The overdoses were due to the use of spice, however, medical teams used Naloxone to save each patient. Naloxone typically only works when used on patients who have used an opioid. But, […]

Significant Updates: Latest statistics– During this past week, the numbers of jail booked arrests are decreasing as Operation Rio Grande continues.  The number of arrests with a use of force was zero during week 12. There were 49 drug-related arrests during this week. Since the operation began on August 14, the grand total jail booked […]

The Department of Public Safety’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) agents served two search warrants this week at homes in Salt Lake City and West Valley City. As a result of the warrants, six foreign nationals were arrested. Five of the individuals are Honduran narcotic dealers. Agents found heroin and cocaine at both residences. The […]

Significant Updates: Latest statistics– During this past week, the numbers of jail booked arrests are decreasing as Operation Rio Grande continues.  The number of arrests with a use of force was zero during week 10. However, there were still 28 drug-related arrests. Since the Operation began on August 14, the grand total jail booked arrests […]

Significant Updates: New Statistics – During this past week, the numbers of jail booked arrests are decreasing as Operation Rio Grande continues.  The number of arrests with a use of force was zero during week 10. However, there were still 36 drug-related arrests. Since the Operation began on August 14, the grand total jail booked […]

The before and after changes brought about by Operation Rio Grande are positive and dramatic. While some in the area don’t want treatment or help, many do. Some of those who are the most appreciative of the law enforcement efforts, are the people who call the Rio Grande area home, and who access the services […]

Many State of Utah agencies support Operation Rio Grande, one of them is the Division of Emergency Management which maintains the Mobile Command Vehicle. Check out this special vehicle in this video. Video produced & supervised by: Susan Thomas

The State Bureau of Investigation and the State Information and Analysis Center provide support to the Utah Highway Patrol Troopers and other law enforcement agencies on the ground in the Rio Grande area. Their collaboration is helping to curb the criminal element. Video produced & supervised by: Susan Thomas

Operation Rio Grande’s law enforcement efforts are supported by multiple state and local agencies. Watch this report to hear how those boots on the ground work together in the Rio Grande area, under the leadership of the Department of Public Safety. They make the area safer and support those who access to the services there. […]

What: Operation Rio Grande began just over two months ago. State and local officials will provide an update on successes, challenges and current activities. Topics to be discussed include: Restoring public order and disrupting the criminal activities and drug trafficking Use of services in the Rio Grande area Establishment of the “safe space courtyard” Progress […]

Nominated by Commissioner Keith Squires, DPS’ State Bureau of Investigation’s Agent Crystal Wallis has truly gone above and beyond her call of duty. Agent Wallis has been assigned to work Operation Rio Grande. Recently Agent Wallis made a connection with a man who was in obvious need of professional mental health. She introduced herself and […]

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) held a meeting with members of the community at The Road Home shelter in Salt Lake City.  This meeting was the second of a series of meetings scheduled at The Road Home. The goal of each community gathering is to answer questions and discuss any concerns regarding Operation Rio […]

On September 12 at 1:30 p.m., officers with the Department of Public Safety’s State Bureau of Investigation, Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force, Utah Adult Probation and Parole, and Ogden Police served a warrant at a home in Ogden. This warrant was based on narcotic and other criminal behavior directly resulting from intelligence gathered through Operation […]

Our Troopers are committed to making a positive impact in the community. They recently shared their first-hand experiences with Operation Rio Grande. Video produced by Chris Averett.