A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City has indicted Manuel Santos-Ramirez, a 32-year-old Mexican national living in the United States without legal status, on drug charges related to the alleged possession and intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force agents began investigating a drug trafficking organization in July 2025. In August, during a controlled purchase operation, law enforcement identified Santos-Ramirez as the individual involved. Agents followed him to a residence in Salt Lake City using a silver Ford F-150 pick-up truck. Authorities executed search warrants at both the residence and the vehicle, resulting in the seizure of 5,843 grams of methamphetamine that field-tested positive for the substance. The narcotics were found divided between the vehicle and inside the home. The drugs obtained during the controlled buy also tested positive for methamphetamine.
Santos-Ramirez was arrested and remains in federal custody. He is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. His initial court appearance took place on September 11, 2025. A three-day jury trial is set for November 14, 2025 before Senior U.S District Court Judge Clark Waddoups at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse.
“Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah made the announcement.”
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force.
“Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Reichman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.”
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).”
It should be noted that an indictment is only an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
