SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Jan. 7, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Utah’s State Bureau of Investigation has released new numbers related to Operation Rio Grande, a multi-agency campaign to increase public safety in a downtown area with a high density of homeless people.
The SBI numbers, released Monday, reflect work in that area — named for its proximity to the Rio Grande Depot, which is at 300 S. Rio Grande St. (about 450 West), Salt Lake City.
“The Department of Public Safety’s State Bureau of Investigation released new operation totals since August 2017,” the SBI statement says. “The numbers below are a reflection of work by SBI agents since August 2017 to December 31, 2018.”
- Physical Custody Arrests: 484
- Drug Dealers Arrests: 387
- Federal Indictments: 7
- Search Warrants Executed: 43
- Heroin: 2,021 Grams/4.6 Pounds
- Methamphetamine: 10,283 Grams/22.7 Pounds
- Cocaine: 2,267 Grams/ 5 Pounds
- Marijuana: 2,948 Grams/6.5 Pounds
- Spice: 1,197 Grams/2.6 Pounds
- Currency Seized: $129,686
- Firearms Seized: 33
- Fugitives Arrested: 99
- Warrant Bail Amounts: $3,146,796
- Felony/Misc. Warrants: 305
- Stolen Vehicle: 27
The operation is not without controversy, with multiple surrounding and nearby cities reporting an increase in homeless camps as people are pushed out of the Rio Grande area.
The SBI news release suggests that people who want to learn more about the operation visit its website.
