A total of 42 people are under arrest. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. This is poison. One names two men with conspiring with the intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants. There is an unindicted co-conspirator that we are yet to identify as the primary source that would coordinate with this drug trafficking ring, Kellner said. By the end of the day Thursday, 80 defendants were in handcuffs and 17 people were still on the loose. Oscar Acosta-Estrada a/k/a Danny Market data provided by Factset. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Those homes were the objects of raids by federal, state and local law enforcement over the past two years. "They can readily and easily take it out of the bag and give to the customers and move on with their day without law enforcement seeing them.". Monday, February 29, 2016. Haunted Places in Montrose, Colorado. We are going to do everything we can to stop them., Felisa Cardona: 303-954-1219 or fcardona @denverpost.com. Drug Bust; First published on May 20, 2015 / . AURORA More than 500 law enforcement agents have arrested 80 people in what prosecutors are calling one of the biggest drug operations in Denver's history. "It didn't seem to faze them that much.". This may be the biggest meth bust in American history . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "Let me put that into perspective; the entire population of the state of Colorado is 6 million people," Besser said. ", The operations spanned the Front Range including Arapahoe County where the District Attorney George Brauchler told reporters, "If you legalize marijuana and allow it to be grown in homes this is what you can expect to happen. Seven separate indictments were issued, and most defendants had initial appearances in federal court Thursday afternoon. The local gangs should be on notice, he said. We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. What is believed to be one of the largest fentanyl pill drug busts in Colorado history was announced Wednesday at a joint press conference with the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office and the DEA. Our community is much safer today because of this relationship and cooperative effort. Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Engage in Largest Drug Bust in Colorado History Arresting Gang Members and Drug Dealers U.S. Attorney's Office February 09, 2012 District of . If you need help or are having issues with your commenting account, please email us at memberservices@denverpost.com. Operation Chump Change is an ironic name because the dealers were making hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some 66,000 pot plants were seized and 4,500 pounds of finished marijuana products in what is the largest marijuana operation in Colorado law enforcement history. (Colorado State Patrol). 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The arrests were made by over 500 law enforcement officers, making this the largest drug bust in Denver history. The DEA says fentanyl-related deaths shot up more than 210% between 2018 and 2021 in Colorado. It happened on June 20 on Interstate 70 near Georgetown. With minimal disruption, Pueblo is a safer place., Solid relationships between law enforcement and prosecutorial offices at all levels, Federal, State and Local, creates an effective tool for dealing with violent crime, said Pueblo Police Chief Troy Davenport. 17. Drug Task Force Operations Across Nebraska and Eastern Colorado Leads to One of the Largest Drug Busts in Nebraska History. CU Buffs 2023 football schedule announced, AR-15 style rifle marketed for children showcased at Las Vegas gun convention: Despicable, Freshwater fish are significantly more contaminated with toxic forever chemicals than saltwater fish and shellfish, analysis shows, Polar bear killed a woman and a boy after chasing residents in Alaska town, Colorados major ski resorts could get a foot or more of snow this week, WATCH: White shark surprises boy in stunning fishing encounter off Fort Lauderdale, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Law enforcement say heroin is an epidemic in Colorado with overdose deaths increasing 600 percent. The study's Law Enforcement category includes sub-metrics such as "Number of Drug Arrests per Capita," in which Colorado ranked 41, "Number of Drug Arrests on College Campuses per 1,000 Students . After two high-profile busts, these drug doyennes are being tried like their male counterparts and possibly turning against them Emma Coronel Aispuro Getty Images Emma Coronel Aispuro: Mrs . Twelve children were taken from homes where agents say drugs and weapons were stored in plain view. The things that you see in these pictures and that poison spawns violent crime, Pueblo police chief Troy Davenport said. Unsuspecting users taking drugs they dont know are laced with fentanyl have created a deadly phenomenon and burgeoning public health crisis in Colorado. Since 2015, Besser said the drug landscape has shifted considerably, moving from organic heroin to synthetic pills, which are both more discreet and more lucrative for cartels. Besser said he worries that fentanyl could soon be laced into vape products, which are already incredibly popular with many younger users. The five people named are under federal indictment. Commander Domenico Napolitano, head of the financial police for the city of Naples, told CNN . / CBS Colorado. It was the "largest and most complex heroin bust in the history of the Rocky Mountain region," according to the Colorado Attorney General's Office. If I did I would have called somebody. The source of these narcotics originated in Mexico. Even before this bust . Though there is ample disagreement between those who believe in the co. All rights reserved. The FBI called it a massive and historic seizure of heroin, all from within th Jose Noel Villegas-Soto a/k/a Noel LNU Officials said a "lengthy wiretap investigation" led to the monumental bust. Additional Information From TheColorado Attorney General's Office, Julio Estrada a/k/a Yael Osuna Navarro Both Besser and District Attorney John Kellner stressed the fact that fentanyl pills are not only blue in color, but pink and white. Pueblo police announced Thursday the seizure of $8 . The court document says the investigation began in the summer of 2016 looking into what was called the "Asian Pride Drug Trafficking Organization." In federal court, seven Asian men and five women appeared before a magistrate to be advised of charges they face. Marybel Delarosa-Quintana The Pueblo Police Department is a proud participant., "The outcome of this case is indicative of the success that can be attained when agencies combine resources to dismantle drug trafficking organizations," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Calvin Shivers. If youre here to bring poison and violence into the community, hell is coming to breakfast, acting U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer said. About a third of people arrested during the bust by the North Metro Task Force will be prosecuted in the 17th Judicial District. Click to skip ahead and jump to the 10 biggest drug busts in U.S. history. As of June 15, 2022, comments on DenverPost.com are powered by Viafoura, and you may need to log in again to begin commenting. Authorities seized nearly 500 pounds of methamphetamines worth roughly $18 . Federal authorities found over 26,000 grams of cocaine, a pound of methamphetamine, 1,000 grams of crack, 11 weapons including a couple of assault rifles, and over $415,000 in cash. Read more about our new commenting system here. Updated on: July 1, 2022 / 5:36 PM An official with the Colorado State Patrol told Fox News that the agency stopped a car that was headed toward Denver on Interstate 70 near Georgetown when they made the discovery. . As of June 15, 2022, comments on DenverPost.com are powered by Viafoura, and you may need to log in again to begin commenting. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. More than $45 million of methamphetamine has been seized in a drug bust in Texas. LOS ANGELES SCHOOL STUDENTS INGEST ECSTASY PILLS LACED WITH FENTANYL, SUPERINTENDENT SAYS. Law enforcement officers say they arent done yet. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Vasquez was the owner of the raided and now shuttered Get Your Fix Auto Body, where agents said he would fix vehicles and load up customers with baggies of illegal drugs. Francisco Villanueva a/k/a Pancho "And we could kill 25 million people with what was hidden in a car.". Last month, CSP troopers made what they believed was the biggest bust on a highway when they recovered 114 pounds of pure fentanyl on I-70 near Georgetown. If convicted, they face between five years to life in prison. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Even before this bust, Colorado State Patrol had seized more than 225 pounds of fentanyl. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. PUEBLO, Colo. The FBI on Thursday announced one of the largest drug trafficking takedowns in Colorado history. What happens if Broncos, Sean Payton find common ground in Tuesday interview? Ernie Martinez, an executive with the national Narcotics Officers' Association, spoke in general terms to CBS4's Rick Sallinger, "So we are starting to see a combination of organized crime, groups of crime taking these suburban homes and hiding in plain sight and utilizing these homes for these large grow operations.". Authorities say the drugs were ultimately supplied from traffickers in Mexico, but they declined to reveal the original source. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. These were violent felons walking around in our neighborhoods, carrying automatic weapons, selling massive quantities of heroin and other illegal drugs, said Marc McCulloch with the FBI. What triggered this investigation was the very violent activity of some hard-core gang members, said Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates. Agents are investigating the possibility the drug cases may have links to unsolved homicides throughout the metro area, said the FBIs Special Agent in Charge, James Yacone. Officials announce biggest drug bust in decade in Camden. The Colorado State Patrol reported that it has seized 225 pounds of fentanyl through the first half of this year, compared to 150 pounds in 2021. The driver was pulled over on June 6. PHOENIX (Arizona's Family/Gray News) - Authorities in Arizona say two men have been arrested in connection with one of the largest drug busts in the . We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. The indictments were returned earlier this year but only unsealed now. A small plane took off from Tampa to Venezuela, before reaching Mexico a few days later. Pedro Gutierrez-Nunez a/k/a Carlos Some 66,000 pot plants were seized and 4,500 pounds of finished marijuana products in what is the largest marijuana operation in Colorado law enforcement history. The Drug Enforcement Agency and the 18th Judicial District Attorneys Office announced the bust Wednesday in Centennial, saying eight people have been indicted on allegations they were smugglers and distributors in a drug trafficking organization that focused on methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid. They are available everywhere and can be obtained with little effort.. Federal officials hold a news conference in Denver on Thursday to announce a major drug bust. The availability and accessibility of fake pills (laced with fentanyl) right now is absolutely staggering. Martinez says Colorado is being taken advantage of. FBI Safe Streets is a great example of those relationships and the kind of effort that our citizens deserve. The affidavit says the Chinese organization operated hundreds of grow homes in the Denver area. "It's a quick and easy, accessible way for the sources of supply to talk to their workers up here and make sure it's a seamless business system," said Agent Rob Saccone with the DEA Strike Force. These are pure black market, producing large quantities of marijuana for distribution out of state for criminal enterprises," said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. If you want to make sure you have the necessary supplies on hand to treat a future breakout, acne patches are the answer. In all Authorities seized 273 pounds of brown heroin, 31 pounds of methamphetamine, 25 pounds of cocaine and 25 vehicles. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. State and federal authorities confiscated 200,000 fentanyl pills, 9.4 pounds of heroin, a kilogram of cocaine and multiple firearms in an operation they say culminated in one of the largest seizures of fentanyl pills in Colorado history. $18 million, Antioch, Calif. One California raid in 2014 remains one of the biggest drug busts the U.S. has ever seen. Meet the news team or contact us. Last month troopers with the Colorado State Patrol made what they believe is the biggest fentanyl bust on a highway in the United States. Almost 100 alleged drug traffickers and gang members are charged in what authorities say is the largest drug bust in Colorado history based of the quantity of drugs found and the numbers of people . Luis Soto-Castro Federal authorities and local law enforcement have completed the biggest drug sweep in Nebraska's history, U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg said Friday. Fox News' Louis Casiano contributed to this report. or redistributed. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. May 24, 2019 / 5:02 PM / CBS Colorado. Major drug bust on 6/1/21 in Rio Grande County, CO. (Center PD) CENTER, Colo. (KKTV) - Authorities uncovered what were believed to be "operating drug distribution centers" in a small Colorado . Woman charged as 'drug kingpin' in bust of Denver metro area drug trafficking rings Four hundred pounds of meth, five pounds of heroin, four pounds of cocaine, and 15,000 fentanyl pills were . Almost 100 people have either been arrested or are on the run in what is being called the largest drug bust in Colorado history. Dont buy a teeth whitening gel before reading these reviews. Look who got busted augusta ga histogram gcse questions eau claire drug bust I got a feeling that he was not as concerned with patient care as he was the outcomes of the child. Authorities said the penalties for a majority of the crimes charged range from 10 years to life in prison. Salvador Heredia Drugs Texas DEA Crime. Kellner spoke about border security, attributing some of the problems to the ease of accessibility to the United States from the southern border. The DEA says fentanyl-related deaths shot up more than 210% between 2018 and 2021 in Colorado. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. Both incidents happened on Nov. 9. The one thing we dont tolerate in communities like this is the poison of heroin and the violence of illegal gun use and possession, Troyer said. TORONTO -. We have brought to justice the high-level criminal bosses, money launderers and drug dealers who were profiting from the most vulnerable in our communities across the Denver metro area, she said. All rights reserved. Please enter valid email address to continue. There was a lot of intelligence derived from the Hoppin Hooded Bandits case, and they needed the resources to put it together, Yacone said of joining forces with other agencies. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Jesus Contreras a/k/a Jesse Largest Database of Etowah County Mugshots. Polar bear kills woman, boy in remote Alaska village, Just hours before the Idaho murders, another grisly scene unfolded outside Bryan Kohberger's window, In Montecito, the Million-Dollar Views Still Come With Mudslide Risks, Channing Tatum says parenting with ex-wife Jenna Dewan made them realize they were so different, Hawaii fisherman overboard, missing after hooking large ahi, Wilmington's Azalea Festival announces second concert headliner of 2023, Middle school student cut during fight at lunch, Shooting between vehicles in Sanford leaves 1 dead, officials say. Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr said the purpose of dismantling a large drug organization is to keep neighborhoods safe from crime. More than 500 state and federal officers from 40 law enforcement agencies made arrests in cities along the Front Range, surprising defendants in their pajamas. 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