DPS NEWS

DPS Week 12 Operation Rio Grande Report

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 arrests is now 1,952.
• 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.
• Since the start of Operation Rio Grande, 126 charges have been filed for drug distribution resulting in 118 jail bookings. These are tied to active investigations.
• Meetings with those who live in the area and receive the services continue.  A fourth community meeting was held at the Weigand courtyard on Tuesday, November 7. Three prior meetings have been conducted to answer questions, discuss concerns, and collect input. The overwhelming input we have received is that homeless services recipients are thankful for the reduction of crime in the area, yet still request law enforcement efforts to continue.
• Reports of disbursement of persons from the Rio Grande area to other areas continue to decrease.

Ongoing Actions:

• SBI and the State Information and Analysis Center (SIAC) are coordinating with Salt Lake Valley Police agencies to address drug distribution in their respective areas that may be connected to Operation Rio Grande.
• Incident Command and the Mobile Command Vehicle remain at Rio Grande with 40+ DPS troopers and agents who continue to police the area.

Website:

• For more details about Operation Rio Grande and non-law enforcement efforts, see operationriogrande.utah.gov.