Last month troopers with the Colorado State Patrol made what they believe is the biggest fentanyl bust on a highway in the United States. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. 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. This is poison. If youre here to bring poison and violence into the community, hell is coming to breakfast, acting U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer said. Transporters in south, north dealers busted More than 50 drug dealers and distributors in different parts of the state were rounded up as part of two federal investigations, U.S. Attorney Kenneth . The driver was pulled over on June 6. 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. "It didn't seem to faze them that much.". Monday, February 29, 2016. Youth are especially vulnerable, Besser said, as they are targeted on social media to purchase these drugs creating an unparalleled accessibility.. Authorities said the penalties for a majority of the crimes charged range from 10 years to life in prison. Jack Lowenstein is a digital media producer and assignment desk editor with CBS4 News. Fentanyl in Colorado has been an increasingly troubling issue. Even before this bust . And pill shopping is expensive -- one OxyContin pill can cost $80 on the street, but a few days-worth of heroin costs about the same. Jose Noel Villegas-Soto a/k/a Noel LNU The court affidavit says the case grew from a previous case involving restaurateur Dan Tang. By Maham Abedi Global News Posted August 28, 2017 2:41 pm. Though there is ample disagreement between those who believe in the co. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. In addition to the large quantities of fentanyl seized, the investigation also found the organization in possession of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, numerous firearms, and US . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Almost 100 people have either been arrested or are on the run in what is being called the largest drug bust in Colorado history. Jesus Contreras a/k/a Jesse Spanish police said the gang's 'cooks' would make the drugs which were later sold across Spain. Possibly the biggest drug bust in state history -- and it happened right here in southern Colorado. We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. $18 million, Antioch, Calif. One California raid in 2014 remains one of the biggest drug busts the U.S. has ever seen. So far the details surrounding who might have been arrested haven't been revealed. As of June 15, 2022, comments on DenverPost.com are powered by Viafoura, and you may need to log in again to begin commenting. If you want to make sure you have the necessary supplies on hand to treat a future breakout, acne patches are the answer. Eleven weapons, including an SKS assault rifle, an AR-15 assault rifle and handguns, and $415,140 in cash also were found and taken by agents as evidence. The case involves a wiretap investigation that began in December and also netted $60,000 in stolen merchandise. "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.". ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The Adams County Sheriff's Office says they were part of a large task force which took down a massive drug bust. Pueblo police, along with the FBI, are announcing a big heroin seizure. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Federal officials hold a news conference in Denver on Thursday to announce a major drug bust. They are available everywhere and can be obtained with little effort.. The takeover robberies gave gang members a chance to raise enough cash to purchase large quantities of drugs to sell on the street. Updated on: July 1, 2022 / 5:36 PM 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. "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. Even before this bust, Colorado State Patrol had seized more than 225 pounds of fentanyl. "We aim to strangle this drug trafficking organization to deprive it from the oxygen it needs to survive -- money," US Attorney John Walsh said. Martinez says Colorado is being taken advantage of. 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.". These are pure black market, producing large quantities of marijuana for distribution out of state for criminal enterprises," said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. 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 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said its Dallas division made the biggest . 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. As more people abuse prescription pills, especially opiates, experts say the transition to heroin becomes necessary because it's cheaper and easier to find. Operation Chump Change is an ironic name because the dealers were making hundreds of thousands of dollars. There are no needles, no track marks. 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 . Ricardo Santiago What triggered this investigation was the very violent activity of some hard-core gang members, said Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates. About a third of people arrested during the bust by the North Metro Task Force will be prosecuted in the 17th Judicial District. 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. Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. "We're seeing a lot of organized crime from other countries because it's easy pickings.". Officials said a "lengthy wiretap investigation" led to the monumental bust. When will Buffs fans see Coach Prime in action? Legal Statement. 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. In all Authorities seized 273 pounds of brown heroin, 31 pounds of methamphetamine, 25 pounds of cocaine and 25 vehicles. In 1991, police officers seized 59 boxes containing 1080 pounds of Heroin, with a street value ranging from $2.7 billion to $4 billion. Besser said he worries that fentanyl could soon be laced into vape products, which are already incredibly popular with many younger users. Authorities say the drugs were ultimately supplied from traffickers in Mexico, but they declined to reveal the original source. Leonard Aragon, of Pueblo, charged with two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute heroin. DEA agents began seizing 10 and 20 pound loads. The big case first started out as four separate investigations one of them dubbed Operation Double Trouble until law enforcement realized the cases had common links and connections involving narcotics. COLORADO FENTANYL SEIZURES THIS YEAR ALREADY SURPASS ALL OF LAST YEAR, AUTHORITIES SAY, Officers with the Colorado State Patrol made a seizure of 114 pounds of pure fentanyl on a highway on June 20. . We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. / CBS Colorado. What triggered this investigation was the very violent activity of some hard-core gang members, said Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates. Pueblo police announced Thursday the seizure of $8 . / CBS Colorado. Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux); and the CNDSSTF covering Hall, Adams, Merrick and Buffalo counties of Nebraska. 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. What happens if Broncos, Sean Payton find common ground in Tuesday interview? Brown heroin can be smoked which makes it easier for a user to hide. 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. That's compared to 150 pounds all of last year. At the time, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said it was the second-largest bust ever, behind only a 5,000-pound bust in December 2019 in Laredo, Texas. Read more about our new commenting system here. 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 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 affidavit says the Chinese organization operated hundreds of grow homes in the Denver area. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 9. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Once it was manufactured, the brown heroin came to Denver in passenger cars and through the mail. 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 . Once we focused on them, our investigation led to a complex narcotics conspiracy. LOS ANGELES SCHOOL STUDENTS INGEST ECSTASY PILLS LACED WITH FENTANYL, SUPERINTENDENT SAYS. Authorities said the penalties for a majority of the crimes charged range from 10 years to life in prison. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. By the end of the day Thursday, 80 defendants were in handcuffs and 17 people were still on the loose. We are going to do everything we can to stop them., Felisa Cardona: 303-954-1219 or fcardona @denverpost.com. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. DENVER (CBS4) - The numbers contained in a court affidavit are enormous: 227 search warrants were executed during a multi-year investigation into homes being turned into marijuana grow houses. In Colorado, fentanyl deaths increased more than tenfold in the past five years from 81 in 2017 to more than 900 in 2021, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. TORONTO -. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. 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