Following a string of drug-related incidents and community outcry, Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) officers conducted multiple search warrants at a downtown motel, resulting in arrests and substance seizures. According to SLCPD, the operation took place at a location known for crime, situated at 176 West 600 South.
On Thursday, the authorities tackled a drug problem at the motel and, they apprehended Yeno Oliver, 22, and Hisso Buwa, 25. Both were booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail facing multiple charges, including unlawful possession and use of controlled substances along with drug paraphernalia. As violations pile up, the SLCPD continues to confront the nexus of narcotics and violence that the motel has come to represent.
Another facet of this multipronged crackdown saw the SLCPD’s Special Investigations Unit carrying out an additional search warrant. Their haul included fentanyl powder, methamphetamine, cocaine, and approximately $2,000 in cash. While charges are pending as prosecutors review the case, the logistical support of the SLCPD's Central Bike Squad and SWAT Team was critical in ensuring the warrants were executed safely.
In a proactive push to cleanse the motel of its hazardous environment, the Salt Lake County Health Department shuttered one of the affected rooms. The reason, cited for safety and health issues related to drug exposure, adds another dimension to the motel's troubled history. The relentless efforts by SLCPD’s officers, alongside those from the Business Community Engagement Officer and District Community Liaison Officer, signify an unyielding campaign to rehabilitate a spot long-suffering from delinquency.
