In the latest drug bust, authorities seized 200,000 fentanyl pills in an operation which was operating out of a business called Hondu Multiservicios, LLC at 6671 Federal Boulevard, according to the grand jury indictment obtained by The Gazette. NBA investigating social media post by Ja Morant following game in Denver, State Democrats introduce assault weapons ban, How a debate over support for the ERA turned into anti-trans rhetoric at the Colorado state Capitol, Colorados Mount Evans could soon be Mount Blue Sky. The Aurora Police Department assisted in the seizure on Amherst Circle. Officials have arrested 24 of the people mentioned in the indictment on a slew of charges, including racketeering, money laundering and conspiracy to distribute various drugs. 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. Cold case: Who murdered this man on Lookout Mountain? Alleged victims recount how they said David Zoda deceived them, collected thousands of dollars in moving charges, then allegedly dumped their belongings in storage lockers in Aurora. Well over 300 special agents and officers arrested 28 defendants for drug trafficking and related crimes during early morning raids. She joined the paper in 2019 and previously worked as a crime reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pennsylvania and the Chattanooga Times Free Press in Tennessee. Police executed a search warrant at Ramirez's house located in the 20500 block of East Buchanan Drive on Dec. 29, APD said. Ramirez posted bond on Dec. 30. Colorado law enforcement officials said Wednesday that millions of lives may have been saved after several months of undercover investigation into those suspected of distributing illegal fentanyl pills. The Denver Police Department is launching a new program they say will help them curb crime throughout the city by starting with tracking some cars. So its often mixed with other substances, oftentimes inert substances, and then pressed into pill form to look like prescription oxycodone.. Denver7 reporter Liz Gelardi tells us more about a drug ring hiding in plain sight. The Aurora Police Department received information about narcotics . The drug market morphs by the hour. Carly McKinney's Twitter page contained half-naked photos and all kinds of chatter about marijuana, including a boast of . The leader of the group, Candelaria Vallejo-Gallo, was arrested last week in her Aurora home, according to Dean Phillips, acting special agent in charge at the Denver division of the FBI. 2023 Colorado Public Radio. Youth are especially vulnerable, Besser said, as they are targeted on social media to purchase these drugs creating an unparalleled accessibility.. The four weapons seized included an AR-15-style rifle and a 9 mm handgun, authorities said. President Biden had basal cell carcinoma removed from his chest, the White House shared. Douglas 1 View. In the search of his home and his two vehicles, police said they found more than 80,000 fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills, 500 grams of suspected Xanax and more than $1,800 cash. Four. AURORA, Ill. (WLS) -- Three men from Mexico and a Bolingbrook man face drug charges after Kane County Sheriff's detectives said they found nearly 160 pounds of cannabis in a Jeep in west. Rep. Diane DeGette is pushing legislation to expand a federal program to help people pay their utility bills and still make ends meet. An investigation that began with a probe into a cocaine ring has led to 19 arrests in operations that involved moving black market drugs in and out of Colorado, according to a news release from. 2019 Sentinel Colorado. The influx of fake prescription opioids is a growing and deadly concern for this office and the law enforcement community as a whole, he said. Unsuspecting users taking drugs they dont know are laced with fentanyl have created a deadly phenomenon and burgeoning public health crisis in Colorado. Daytime high temperatures will be in the mid to upper 40s throughout the front range. Electric vehicles are the future, at least that's what Colorado's Energy Office is hoping. The source of these narcotics originated in Mexico. Drug kingpins dont always touch the drugs, but they do always touch the money.. They expect to lose product, but what they want the most is to get them money down south,Besser said. Court records show he's been charged with the following felonies: Ramirez' next court date is scheduled for Jan. 6. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. In 2015, it killed 64 people in the state. Hill was charged with Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Heroin. Aurora only hired 17 new police officers last year. Two people got caught with an illegal psilocybin mushroom grow and other drugs in a Lyons home. AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - A popular grocery store in Aurora was raided as part of the takedown of a large-scale cocaine and methamphetamine organization. One of four suspects arrested at a hotel near Coors Field says there was no plot to shoot MLB All-Star Game fans, even though one of his friends harbored a large cache of weapons in his room. Officers were called to a local hotel when housekeeping found a brown paper bag containing two plastic baggies filled with a white crystalline substance and a glass smoking pipe. They're sold in the Denver area wholesale for $3 a pill or retail for $10 to $20, investigators say. In Pittsburgh, she helped the newspaper earn the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news after a mass shooting at a local synagogue, and in 2020 she was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in local reporting for an investigation into child sexual abuse among Amish and Mennonite communities. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - The Albuquerque Police Department is trying to get to the root of the problem when it comes to violent crime . Fentanyl pills are extremely cheap right now, officials said Wednesday. (WLBT) - Two people were arrested for having possession of over $200,000 in drugs, along with a few firearms, In Hinds County on Wednesday, January 25. "I hope to return to the Senate later this month," the retiring senator said in a statement. He was in the Denver County jail as of Friday night. Even fruit-flavored incarnations of the pill are being found, some being etched with the BMW or Mercedes logos, they said. #9news @9WantsToKnow pic.twitter.com/rW4LkXCrHr. A routine traffic stop in Eagle County led to the discovery of 13.5 pounds of what is believed to be heroin hidden in a child's car seat. 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. Sources: months -long investigation cocaine/ Meth distribution from Mex. Darren Weekly said he has seen the drugs flow like wildfire into Highlands Ranch and Ken Caryl neighborhoods and warned parents to be aware of what their children are doing on social media. The homes where the drugs were found were in Denver and Aurora. What do you think. In my 31 years of law enforcement, I have never seen anything like the current drug crisis, Besser said. In 2021, illegal fentanyl killed 709 people in Colorado, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Police in Adams County on Friday announced that a drug bust this month netted 20 pounds of methamphetamine. The other people indicted on lesser charges could face prison sentences of at least 10 years. The fentanyl flooding Colorado this summer is cheaper, now comes in pink and white, and is sometimes laced with the taste of monk fruit. Tipsters can remain anonymous. AURORA |Federal authorities on Wednesday unsealed a 30-person indictment that outlines the workings of a sophisticated drug cartel that for years was pumping hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and cocaine throughout Colorado. A Mexican national who was residing in Aurora illegally, Vallejo-Gallo and her group used overland traffickers and UPS shipments to get drugs to the metroplex, according to Dunn. They pulled him over, smelled marijuana, and found the drugs and cash in the car. Here's what you need to know about this type of skin cancer. In an effort to beef up hiring numbers, the city is reforming its hiring practices by adopting more relaxed standards. Federal and local law enforcement agencies say the drugs come into the state from Mexico. One Colorado school district is making mental health a priority. Its also very cheap to produce in either China or Mexico, Dunn said. for the State of Colorado (19.3 percent) but is higher than the national rate (14.7 percent) (Figure 1). On January 23, 2019, a federal Superseding Indictment was filed against Dana Faulkner, also known as "Diablo" (age 40), of Aurora, CO, charging him with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances (methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine) in the Rapid City and Northern Black Hills area, Use of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime, The Colorado State Patrol discovered the 114-pound mega-haul hidden underneath a trap door beneath the front seats of a vehicle during a traffic stop. Police found more than $18,000 in cash and more than 300 pills during a traffic stop in west suburban Aurora Tuesday night. First published on March 11, 2022 / 7:35 PM. The Justice Department is assisting Ukraine in an investigation into war crimes committed by Russia. Gov. Besser said the I-70 and I-25 corridors are where the deadly drugs head East while money heads South. Treatment data indicate that cocaine, particularly crack, commonly is abused in Denver. served four search warrants in Fresno. Former Washington Capital forward Lars Eller is now a member of the Colorado Avalanche! Aurora Police said the investigation began in September after their narcotics team received a tip that Hernan Soria Ramirez was advertising illegal drugs for sale on social media sites. Besser had a laundry list of what the DEA is doing behind the scenes to eradicate drug traffic, including the investigation of 50 active cases, a third of which are in the 18thJudicial District. Douglas County Sheriff Capt. Read More. By Tony Keith. iTunes:http://on9news.tv/itunes Google Play:http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n, HOW TO ADD THE FREE 9NEWS+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE. During the course of a year-long investigation into Vallejo-Gallos group, authorities seized more than 400 pounds of methamphetamine, five pounds of heroin, four pounds of cocaine and about 15,000 pills of fentanyl that had been disguised to look like prescription Oxycodone, officials said. BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - Three people have been arrested in Beaufort County on drug charges and deputies say the street value of the drugs seized is . This creates a phenomena that is extremely hard for law enforcement to stop, Brian Besser, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Denver field division, told reporters Wednesday. Besser said he worries that fentanyl could soon be laced into vape products, which are already incredibly popular with many younger users. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Law enforcement officials reported last month that more than 2 million dosage units of fentanyl were removed from Colorado communities so far this year. for top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you. AURORA, Ill. - Police found more than $18,000 in cash and more than 300 pills during a traffic stop in west suburban Aurora Tuesday night. 21, 2022 at 1:05 PM PDT. When bought in bulk, fentanyl pills that used to cost $8 to $10 can now be found for just $1. So its often times mixed with other substances often times inert substances, and then pressed into pill form to look like prescription Oxycodone or other drugs and then sold.. Had these pills reached the street, thousands of unwitting end users would have been at significant risk of overdose and death as weve already seen too much of lately in Colorado.. Colorado law enforcement officials said Wednesday that millions of lives may have been saved after several months of undercover investigation into those suspected of distributing illegal fentanyl. Lieutenant Greg Spayth says the incident was a sizable bust that will keep these drugs off the street. AURORA, Colo. A 24-year-old man was arrested on drug charges late last month after a four-month investigation. However, groups like Vallejo-Gallos are increasingly manufacturing the potent opioid to bump their profit margins by camouflaging it as more sought-after and expensive prescription pills. "We are not asleep at the wheel. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports are the primary drivers of the recent increase in opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. 16) Arthur Moore, 68 years of age, of 712 James Drive in . 4, Clovis PD Special Enforcement Team (S.E.T.) They are available everywhere and can be obtained with little effort.. Denver Restaurant Week is officially upon us! Find 727 listings related to Odom Memorial Community Drug Bust in Aurora on YP.com. She could be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison if convicted. Compare Drug Bust Counseling Center in Aurora, CO. Access business information, offers, and more - THE REAL YELLOW PAGES Dezmen Albritton. The Denver Police Department will continue to arrest those who prey on those who suffer from addiction, Chief Paul M. Pazen said in a news release. DENVER Special agents, police officers and deputy sheriffs on Thursday arrested 80 people on drug and/or gun charges, announced the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Colorado. Kellner acknowledged that stopping this operation will only put a temporary pause on business. Authorities seize over 11,000 units of counterfeit fentanyl in Hinds County drug bust (MDPS) By WLBT.com Staff Published: Feb. 1, 2023 at 12:43 PM PST HINDS COUNTY, Miss. As first reported by The Denver Gazette, the largest U.S. highway seizure of pure fentanyl powder occurred June 20 on Interstate 70 near Georgetown. An Aurora woman led an extensive international drug trafficking organization that distributed high volumes of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and fentanyl throughout Colorado, U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn said at a news conference Wednesday. Kellner said the sting operation began in December 2021 with a single drug buy that evolved into more purchases, then wiretaps, search warrants and seizures. 15) Deandre Hill, 41 years of age, of 138 Middle Road in Aurora. In the latest bust, authorities seized 170,000 fentanyl pills outside of an Aurora apartment. Its hard to keep the calculations updated in real time as the pills come in, he added. They then distributed the substances across the state. The drugs can go for as little as $1 and are disguised in flavors like strawberry and raspberry. Authorities allowed the driver who was caught ferrying a record haul of pure fentanyl powder. The Aurora woman, Candelaria Vallejo-Gallo, who is either 41 or 42, was charged with running the primary operation. DENVER - Following a two year criminal drug investigation, 54 defendants were named in four separate indictments charging various violations of the Controlled Substances Act, the United States Attorney's Office and the Metro Gang Task Force announced. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Investigators said it is believed the drug trafficking ring in Colorado has ties to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. Authorities have also seized $16 million in drug money. 8, 2021 at 9:32 PM PDT. Arthur Mills, 59, was arrested on Thursday, according to the Denver Police Department. 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All Rights Reserved. The fentanyl pills recovered by authorities were packaged and disguised to look like prescription drugs a tactic used to make the drugs more appealing to users, Dunn said. Because of its central location, Colorado is now a critical trans-shipment hub in the West for drug smugglers, officials warned, and the price has become right. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network records show that between 2013 and 2016, Tapia-Rubio made 140 cash deposits totaling more than $3 million dollars to various financial institutions. Angelina Maestas posted court documents on Facebook that openly accused another member of the trafficking operation with cooperating with police. All Rights Reserved. - 43 pounds cocaine According to DEA estimates, one kilo of pure fentanyl powder is enough to kill 500,000 people. The find was part of a coordinated Aurora drug bust announced Feb. 19, 2020. You think the cartels are in Mexico? If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Courtesy of the Adams County Sheriff's Office. Federal and local law enforcement busted suspected members of a Mexican organization accused of distributing cocaine and meth in Colorado and other state, sources tell 9Wants to Know. This was an organization that was working here bringing it in from the west coast.. I have never seen anything like this in my life.. It says that the alleged drug activity spanned from Indianapolis down to southern Indiana cities like Princeton and . Constantly updated. AURORA, N.C. (WNCT) A drug bust by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office resulted in three arrests and the seizure of more than half a million dollars worth of drugs. A 40-year Colorado news veteran, Carol McKinley started in radio, and traveled the world as a network TV correspondent/producer. Deputies say Payton Yates and Keith Tacy were living at the house. On Wednesday, Besser, the sheriffs in Arapahoe and Douglas counties, Denver police andJohn Kellner, the district attorney for Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties, announced their latest in a string of fentanyl busts, almost apologizing that fentanyl news is getting so commonplace that theyre afraid people have stopped paying attention. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Police in Colorado Springs made a major drug bust and believe they have their prime suspect in custody. 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APD makes several arrests in Social Media Drug Operation. Besser said investigators are now seeing fentanyl and other deadly synthetic analogs routinely being mixed with conventional street drugs, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and marijuana. The trafficking ring funneled their profits back to Mexico, sometimes by smuggling undeclared bulk cash shipments, according to the indictment, which said members bought property in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico, to try to keep the money from being seized by U.S. authorities. Aurora Police said the investigation began in September after their narcotics. Listen now. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Arthur Mills was arrested on Thursday on the 3000 block of North Race Street. The investigation that turned into a joint wiretap probe with the 18th Judicial District, DEA, Arapahoe County and Denver police began in December 2021, Kellner said. Because of Thursday's law enforcement. Yates is Pierce's sister. Largest Database of Colorado Mugshots. Recently passed legislation is working to change things, however. The suspects, aged 25 to 71, were rounded up following an investigation that authorities have called 'Colorado's largest marijuana bust' since the drug was legalized for medical use in November 2000. The case involves a wiretap investigation that began in December and also netted $60,000 in stolen merchandise. The illicit drug has been seen on state highways more than ever before. Perry Bertsch. Special Agent Garrett Croon (312) 829-1199. In the latest drug bust, authorities seized 200,000 fentanyl pills in an operation which was operating out of a business calledHondu Multiservicios, LLC at 6671 Federal Boulevard, according to the grand jury indictment obtained by The Gazette. Denver police and firefighters responded to an apartment at 8330 Quincy Avenue for a suspected drug operation. A months-long investigation in Colorado Springs ended with the arrest of William Johns on Aug. 4. In one shipment recovered by authorities, drugs were hidden in a childs backpack and mailed through UPS to a woman in the ring who had children, Dunn said. Illicit Drug Use. It will be a mild and dry start to the weekend. DENVER (CBS4) - Denver police announced on Friday that they found a large supply of various illegal drugs at two homes in the Denver metro area and arrested a 59-year-old man who was allegedly planning to deal them. Kellner spoke about border security, attributing some of the problems to the ease of accessibility to the United States from the southern border. Shes been a reporter since 2012, focused on criminal justice. There was a 403 percent increase in the number of pounds seized of fentanyl between 2017 and last year on Colorados highways. Gov. Besser said a lot of drugs pass through Denver because of its central location, but he stressed that not everything is gloom and doom. Fentanyl pills collected in the April and February seizures had the potential to kill as many as 100,000 people in Colorado, Besser said. At least two of those charged were in the United States illegally, according to a 52-count indictment filed in Colorado District Court. Although drug runners were taken off of the streets, their positions will be refilled soon enough. - 1.7 pounds of fentanyl tablets (approximately 8,000 to 10,000 pills). Mills has gone before a judge and bond was set. Anyone who has a tip related to illegal drug dealing in Denver can share it with police through Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). Colorado will be caught between a high pressure ridge to the east and a deep low pressure trough to the west. It lists 21 individuals total. The DEA, 18th Judicial District, Arapahoe and Douglas County Sheriffs, and Denver Police recently netted a huge bust of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. The Lookout is a free, daily email newsletter with news and happenings from all over Colorado. - An Aurora resident was indicted for his part in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine. The identity of the cars driver is being kept secret to protect his family from retribution from drug cartels. 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