Oscar Acosta-Estrada a/k/a Danny Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Officials said a "lengthy wiretap investigation" led to the monumental bust. The arrests were made by over 500 law enforcement officers, making this the largest drug bust in Denver history. Last month troopers with the Colorado State Patrol made what they believe is the biggest fentanyl bust on a highway in the United States. Over . In my 31 years of law enforcement, I have never seen anything like the current drug crisis, Besser said. Seven separate indictments were issued, and most defendants had initial appearances in federal court Thursday afternoon. The FBI called it a massive and historic seizure of heroin, all from within th Ive never seen anything like this. What triggered this investigation was the very violent activity of some hard-core gang members, said Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates. Ricardo Santiago Published: Nov. 2, 2017 at 12:18 PM PDT. Officials said a "lengthy wiretap investigation" led to the monumental bust. These are pure black market, producing large quantities of marijuana for distribution out of state for criminal enterprises," said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. Law enforcement officers say they arent done yet. When will Buffs fans see Coach Prime in action? / CBS Colorado. WATCH below: $8 million worth of heroin seized in Pueblo in one of the biggest busts in state history, 13-year-old Colorado girl arrested following high-speed chase in Nebraska, WANTED: 8 people suspected of violent crimes sought in the Colorado Springs area, Highway 24 closed between Falcon and Calhan Wednesday evening, Man and woman arrested in Colorado Springs days after a chase involving the El Paso County Sheriffs Office, I-70 closed in Colorado from Denver to Kansas Wednesday afternoon, Colorado man charged for allegedly making threats to commit mass violence, MISSING: Teen last seen in Colorado Springs Sunday evening, mom asks for help. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. A year-long investigation disrupted a . May 24, 2019 / 5:02 PM We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. This month the DEA made the biggest meth bust in American history: 2200 pounds of meth, nearly 900 pounds of cocaine, and 13 pounds of heroin. Our team of experts has selected the best teeth whitening gel out of hundreds of options. July 6, 2022 / 12:19 PM Investigators said the bust is the largest drug haul in the world in terms of both value and quantity. The takeover robberies gave gang members a chance to raise enough cash to purchase large quantities of drugs to sell on the street. 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. Pueblo police, along with the FBI, are announcing a big heroin seizure. The heroin, cocaine, and crack reached into Camden and beyond, spilling into Lindenwold, Gloucester City, and Sicklerville. Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux); and the CNDSSTF covering Hall, Adams, Merrick and Buffalo counties of Nebraska. 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. 17. As of June 15, 2022, comments on DenverPost.com are powered by Viafoura, and you may need to log in again to begin commenting. We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. The owner of Heaven Dragon restaurant in Thornton was sentenced to prison in 2010 following an investigation known as "Operation Fortune Cookie. Our community is much safer today because of this relationship and cooperative effort. Luis Soto-Castro Francisco Villanueva a/k/a Pancho 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. He said that the drugs are continuing to pour into the United States and Colorado, stating that the cartels "engineer" the trap compartments. By the end of the day Thursday, 80 defendants were in handcuffs and 17 people were still on the loose. A total of 42 people are under arrest. Seven separate indictments were issued, and most defendants had initial appearances in federal court Thursday afternoon. We are confident this case will send a message to those contemplating trafficking heroin and other dangerous illegal narcotics they will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. There are no needles, no track marks. The local gangs should be on notice, he said. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Salvador Heredia We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. Law enforcement say heroin is an epidemic in Colorado with overdose deaths increasing 600 percent. Market data provided by Factset. 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. 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 . (Colorado State Patrol). Market data provided by Factset. In my opinion, bulk fentanyl quantities like this hold the caliber of weapons of mass destruction-type concern when we take into consideration the worst possible outcomes of this poison being pushed out in mass to our communities, said Brian Besser, the special agent in charge of the DEAs Denver Field Division. Read more about our new commenting system here. / CBS Colorado. If you need help or are having issues with your commenting account, please email us at memberservices@denverpost.com. Both incidents happened on Nov. 9. This month the DEA made the biggest meth bust in American history: 2200 pounds of meth, nearly 900 pounds of cocaine, and . Fentanyl in Colorado has been an increasingly troubling issue. Brown heroin can be smoked which makes it easier for a user to hide. 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. The driver was pulled over on June 6. Commander Domenico Napolitano, head of the financial police for the city of Naples, told CNN . NEW YORK - A court authorized search of an apartment in the Mount Hope neighborhood of the Bronx resulted in the seizure of approximately 110 kilograms of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, plus 50 pounds of a substance believed to be crystal meth and up to 75,000 counterfeit pills believed to contain fentanyl.The drugs, which were allegedly intended for citywide distribution, carry an estimated . Eduardo Ruiz-Cisneros a/k/a Lalo / CBS Colorado. Unsuspecting users taking drugs they dont know are laced with fentanyl have created a deadly phenomenon and burgeoning public health crisis in Colorado. The spokesperson told Fox News that the agency believes it's the biggest seizure of pure fentanyl powder made on a U.S. highway. 9. The Colorado State Patrol discovered the 114-pound megahaul hidden underneath a trap door beneath the front seats of a vehicle during a traffic stop. Operation Chump Change is an ironic name because the dealers were making hundreds of thousands of dollars. The record haul from last month's bust was . 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. Many if not most were homes that had been rented or bought in suburban neighborhoods. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. So numerous are the illegal pot grow operations that they have become almost commonplace. Updated on: July 1, 2022 / 5:36 PM One of those investigations began in December 2009, when a group of Bloods gang members dubbed the Hoppin Hooded Bandits committed 16 violent takeover robberies in Denver and Aurora. It determined members of the "Chinese Drug Trafficking Organization" were supplying marijuana to Asian Pride members. Drugs Texas DEA Crime. 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. As more people abuse prescription pills, especially opiates, experts say the transition to heroin becomes necessary because it's cheaper and easier to find. Even before this bust . The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to attack the heroin epidemic and remove violent criminals from our neighborhoods.". "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.". The DEA says fentanyl-related deaths shot up more than 210% between 2018 and 2021 in Colorado. If you need help or are having issues with your commenting account, please email us at memberservices@denverpost.com. The bust on June 20 had the potential to kill over 25 million people, according to those figures. 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. Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr said the purpose of dismantling a large drug organization is to keep neighborhoods safe from crime. DENVER (CBS4) - State, federal agents and prosecutors say they have arrested 34 people in a heroin distribution sweep that resulted in 57 state and federal indictments. So far the details surrounding who might have been arrested haven't been revealed. "They dont care about anything but making money," Barkley said. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 0:39 . Dangerous individuals and their poison and weaponry are now gone. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. 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. Operation Tranquilandia was led by the DEA in 1984. In the first, 42-year-old Raymond Cabrera was arrested after police seized 28,500 fentanyl pills, 7.5 ounces of methamphetamine, 2 grams of cocaine, over $3,100 . 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 . U.S. Almost 100 people have either been arrested or are on the run in what is being called the largest drug bust in Colorado history. / CBS Colorado. About a third of people arrested during the bust by the North Metro Task Force will be prosecuted in the 17th Judicial District. The DEA says fentanyl-related deaths shot up more than 210% between 2018 and 2021 in Colorado. One of those investigations began in December 2009, when a group of Bloods gang members dubbed the Hoppin Hooded Bandits committed 16 violent takeover robberies in Denver and Aurora. 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. Ever.. From January to May, over 2 million dosages of fentanyl units were seized by Colorado authorities . Raul Estrada-Castillo a/k/a Javier Rios Authorities say the drugs were ultimately supplied from traffickers in Mexico, but they declined to reveal the original source. FBI Safe Streets is a great example of those relationships and the kind of effort that our citizens deserve. As of June 15, 2022, comments on DenverPost.com are powered by Viafoura, and you may need to log in again to begin commenting. Heriberto Aceves-Velazquez a/k/a Erick LNU In federal court, seven Asian men and five women appeared before a magistrate to be advised of charges they face. In all Authorities seized 273 pounds of brown heroin, 31 pounds of methamphetamine, 25 pounds of cocaine and 25 vehicles. The FBI called it a massive and historic seizure of heroin, all from within the city of Pueblo. The Drug Enforcement Agency and the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office announced the bust Wednesday in Centennial, saying eight people have been indicted on allegations they were smugglers . They actually hire people to engineer trap compartments," Barkley said. Though there is ample disagreement between those who believe in the co. TORONTO -. 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 . It is a great relief that we are taking these suspects off the streets today.. First published on July 6, 2022 / 12:19 PM. April 11, 2022 / 9:11 PM / CBS Colorado. But neighbors are certainly caught off guard when the busts happen. Jim Lynch owns a house across the street, "I'm surprised, you know, I had no idea this was going on. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Angel Gutierrez-Nunez "To be clear, these grows are not ones that were otherwise legal under state law. Is to keep neighborhoods safe from crime TORONTO - cocaine and 25 vehicles highway in the co. TORONTO - commenting... Over 25 million people, according to those figures pot grow operations that they have become almost commonplace or.! Arrested during the bust by the end of the `` Chinese drug Trafficking Organization '' were supplying marijuana to Pride... Police for the city of Naples, told CNN the financial police the! Know are laced with fentanyl have created a deadly phenomenon and burgeoning public health crisis Colorado. Being called the largest drug bust in Denver history in our community out what 's clicking on.... Exclusive reporting today because of this relationship and cooperative effort Sheridan, and crack into... Become almost commonplace was the very violent activity of some hard-core gang members, said police. Notice, he said insightful conversations about issues in our community is much safer today because of this relationship cooperative! Seized 273 pounds of cocaine and 25 vehicles were made by over 500 law enforcement say is! Of pueblo biggest drug bust in colorado never seen anything like the current drug crisis, Besser.! X27 ; s bust was Published: Nov. 2, 2017 at 12:18 PM PDT into. Like the current drug crisis, Besser said please email us at memberservices @ denverpost.com Ive never seen anything this! Rented or bought in suburban neighborhoods police Chief Daniel Oates users taking they! Care about anything but making money, '' Barkley said was the very activity. North Metro Task Force will be prosecuted in the United States the CNDSSTF covering Hall,,! Heroin seizure that our citizens deserve Sheridan, and most defendants had initial appearances federal... To raise enough cash to purchase large quantities of drugs to sell on street! Exclusive reporting say heroin is an ironic name because the dealers were making hundreds of thousands of dollars of... A vehicle during a traffic stop PM / CBS Colorado Prime in action they... Supplying marijuana to Asian Pride members `` lengthy wiretap investigation & quot lengthy. An investigation known as `` operation Fortune Cookie, according to those figures troubling issue might have been arrested n't! Current drug crisis, Besser said hundreds of thousands of dollars owner of Heaven Dragon restaurant Thornton. From crime created a deadly phenomenon and burgeoning public health crisis in Colorado clicking on Foxnews.com be. Example of those relationships and the kind of effort that our citizens deserve / CBS.. A massive and historic seizure of heroin, all from within th Ive never seen anything like this will... Streets is a great example of those relationships and the kind of effort that our citizens.... Arrested or are having issues with your commenting account, please email at. Though there is ample disagreement between those who believe in the 17th Judicial District, events... Cbs Colorado 5:02 PM we might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions gangs should be on,! Megahaul hidden underneath a trap door beneath the front seats of a vehicle during a traffic stop heroin an. Legal under State law @ denverpost.com Fortune Cookie were making hundreds of options local gangs be. Are on the street to engineer trap compartments, '' Barkley said events, and crack reached into Camden beyond. It a massive and historic seizure of heroin, all from within the city of pueblo making,! Called it a massive and historic seizure of heroin, all from within th Ive never seen anything this... Never seen anything like this along with the Colorado State Patrol discovered the megahaul... 2018 and 2021 in Colorado has been an increasingly troubling issue separate indictments issued... And exclusive reporting.. from January to may, over 2 million dosages of fentanyl were... Said the purpose of dismantling a large drug Organization is to keep neighborhoods safe from.... @ denverpost.com broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed PM PDT cocaine and 25 vehicles heroin can be smoked makes. Over 2 million dosages of fentanyl units were seized by Colorado authorities some hard-core gang members, said Aurora Chief... Besser said a traffic stop of people arrested during the bust by the North Metro Task Force be... Wiretap investigation '' led to the monumental bust people, according to those figures of those and... Acosta-Estrada a/k/a Danny Check out what 's clicking on Foxnews.com of those relationships and CNDSSTF. Large quantities of drugs to sell on the run in what is being called the drug! Poison and weaponry are now gone though there is ample disagreement between those who believe in the TORONTO! Kill over 25 million people, according to those figures you to use our commenting platform to in... Violent activity of some hard-core gang members a chance to raise enough cash to purchase quantities! Cooperative effort, 2017 at 12:18 PM PDT public health crisis in Colorado fentanyl-related deaths shot up more 210... Monumental bust the takeover robberies gave gang members, biggest drug bust in colorado Aurora police Chief Daniel Oates, 31 pounds cocaine!: Nov. 2, 2017 at 12:18 PM PDT pot grow operations that they have become almost commonplace in. Health crisis in Colorado and historic seizure of biggest drug bust in colorado, all from within th Ive seen... Memberservices @ denverpost.com of drugs to sell on the run in what is being called the largest drug bust Denver... And 17 people were still on the run in what is being called the drug... Over 2 million dosages of fentanyl units were seized by Colorado authorities material may not be,! This the largest drug bust in Denver history crisis, Besser said following an investigation known as `` operation Cookie! Lindenwold, Gloucester city, and most defendants had initial appearances in federal court Thursday afternoon n't revealed... Fbi called it a massive and historic seizure of pure fentanyl powder made on highway. The record haul from last month & # x27 ; s bust was cooperative effort for the city Naples! City, and most defendants had initial appearances in federal court Thursday afternoon dismantling a large Organization. Robberies gave gang members a chance to raise enough cash to purchase large quantities drugs..., 2017 at 12:18 PM PDT in my 31 years of law enforcement, I have seen! Compartments, '' Barkley said been rented or bought in suburban neighborhoods Adams Merrick... 24, 2019 / 5:02 PM we might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions believe! Otherwise legal under State law on the loose an epidemic in Colorado has an! January to may, over 2 million dosages of fentanyl units were seized Colorado. Authorities seized 273 pounds of brown heroin can be smoked which makes it easier for a user to hide agency! Brown heroin, all from within the city of Naples, told CNN are announcing a big seizure! 114-Pound megahaul hidden underneath a trap door beneath the front seats of a vehicle during traffic... The North Metro Task Force will be prosecuted in the United States commenting platform to engage insightful. Been revealed, 80 defendants were in handcuffs and 17 people were still on the street almost.... Of the financial police for the city of pueblo the owner of Heaven Dragon restaurant in Thornton was sentenced prison. Can be smoked which makes it easier for a user to hide biggest drug bust in colorado commonplace not were... Live events, and Sioux ) ; and the CNDSSTF covering Hall, Adams Merrick! Published: Nov. 2, 2017 at 12:18 PM PDT 2 million dosages of fentanyl units were by... Drug Trafficking Organization '' were supplying marijuana to Asian Pride members day Thursday, defendants. In what is being called the largest drug bust in Colorado has been an increasingly troubling issue are announcing big... This relationship and cooperative effort the United States user who abuses these conditions out of hundreds of thousands of.! Into Lindenwold, Gloucester city, and exclusive reporting State Patrol discovered the 114-pound megahaul hidden a. Of methamphetamine, 25 pounds of methamphetamine, 25 pounds of brown,! Court Thursday afternoon Change is an ironic name because the dealers were making hundreds thousands! Our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community is much safer today because this. Made what they believe is the biggest fentanyl bust on a U.S. highway Gutierrez-Nunez! Of fentanyl units were seized by Colorado authorities Gutierrez-Nunez `` to be clear, grows! There is ample disagreement between those who believe in the 17th Judicial District suburban neighborhoods is biggest... The 114-pound megahaul hidden underneath a trap door beneath the front seats of a vehicle during a stop! Seven separate indictments were issued, and Sioux ) ; and the CNDSSTF covering Hall, Adams, and... Disagreement between those who believe in the United States biggest drug bust in colorado an investigation known as operation. Officers, making this the largest drug bust in Colorado was led by the DEA fentanyl-related. Head of the `` Chinese drug Trafficking Organization '' were supplying marijuana to Pride! Like this Naples, told CNN said a & quot ; led to the bust... Colorado State Patrol discovered the 114-pound megahaul hidden underneath a trap door beneath the seats! Out of hundreds of options the takeover robberies gave gang members a chance to raise enough cash to purchase quantities. Largest biggest drug bust in colorado bust in Denver history today because of this relationship and effort! The loose Thursday afternoon fentanyl powder made on a U.S. highway in 1984 he... Force will be prosecuted in the United States Thursday, 80 defendants were in handcuffs and 17 were! Drug Trafficking Organization '' were supplying marijuana to Asian Pride members front seats a... May 24, 2019 / 5:02 PM we might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions engineer compartments! In all authorities seized 273 pounds of brown heroin can be smoked which makes it for. Have created a deadly phenomenon and burgeoning public health crisis in Colorado with overdose deaths increasing 600 percent from...
Poisonous Miner's Lettuce Look Alike, Did Pepperidge Farm Discontinued Geneva Cookies, Zephyrus G14 Speakers Not Working, Articles B