Jared Polis signed Colorado's new fentanyl accountability bill at a ceremony at the state Capitol in May the new law provides stricter criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of fentanyl and other drugs laced with it. The Special Operations Unit found $18,645 in cash, 250 grams of marijuana, 231 Xanax pills, 108 oxycodone, 25 pills of molly, and a digital scale all in the car. 10.21.2010 victim - janine ann johler - aurora, colorado 11.15.2011 UNSOLVED/COLD CASE HOMICIDE - NEBRASKA 06.08.2017 VICTIM - SANTANA ACOSTA - PHOENIX, ARIZONA Youth are especially vulnerable, Besser said, as they are targeted on social media to purchase these drugs creating an unparalleled accessibility.. Denver Health Officials Warn About Increase In Deadly Overdoses Linked To Fentanyl. Law enforcement officials reported last month that more than 2 million dosage units of fentanyl were removed from Colorado communities so far this year. In the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield MSA, an annual average of 416,000 persons aged 12 or older used any . The record haul from last months bust was packed into 48 one-kilo blocks. Detectives pulled off a major drug bust in the Eagle Vail area this week and arrested Matthew DeAngelo. 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. The police investigation into Mills led police to search two homes, one in the 3000 block of North Race Street and another in the 12100 block of Amherst Circle in Aurora. Police also found 20 firearms at the two locations. Carly McKinney's Twitter page contained half-naked photos and all kinds of chatter about marijuana, including a boast of . Body cam video shows a handcuffed suspect being thrown to ground by an Aurora police officer. A 24-year-old is under arrest and being held on a drug charge after an extensive police operation in which some officers donned hazmat suits before entering a southeast Denver apartment. Date: 3/3 12:44 am #1 failed to present . On Wednesday, the department shared details on the case . Electric vehicles are the future, at least that's what Colorado's Energy Office is hoping. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Federal and local law enforcement agencies say the drugs come into the state from Mexico. Colorado's first fully-licensed legal marijuana tour bus is now open for business. Private and rental vehicles and commercial trucks fre-quently are used to transport drugs into and through Colorado. Authorities have also seized $16 million in drug money. illicit drug in the past year. Besser said he worries that fentanyl could soon be laced into vape products, which are already incredibly popular with many younger users. Compare Drug Bust Counseling Center in Aurora, CO. Access business information, offers, and more - THE REAL YELLOW PAGES 9Wants to Know saw members of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Aurora Police Department at two locations in Aurora, one was a home, the other a business, in the Mississippi and I-225 area. Investigators intercepted several shipments of drugs, Phillips said. You want to know what is really going on these days, especially in Colorado. Amanda Lee Summers, 31, was arrested for sell and deliver methamphetamine to law enforcement. 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. President Biden had basal cell carcinoma removed from his chest, the White House shared. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app, Players given Kratom by Colorado coach, police say, Skier Shiffrin's quest for 86th win extended after downhill, 77 inches of snow fall at Colorado ski area in 9 days, Cellphone data connected man to teen's overdose death, 'So much needless loss': DEA agent hopes to reduce fentanyl-related deaths, Man arrested in teen's fentanyl overdose death in Loveland, Distribution of a controlled substance - fentanyl 4-50 grams, Attempt to distribute a controlled substance - fentanyl 4-50 grams, Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute - fentanyl 4 grams, Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute - schedule 3/4. Drug kingpins dont always touch the drugs, but they do always touch the money.. 4, Clovis PD Special Enforcement Team (S.E.T.) The student group Denver East Students Demand Action led a walkout from class Friday morning to call for legislative action on gun safety measures. This represents 21.0 percent of the MSA population, which is similar to the rate . Fentanyl pills collected in the April and February seizures had the potential to kill as many as 100,000 people in Colorado, Besser said. Police in Arvada got quite a surprise while conducting a search warrant for narcotics distribution. The Aurora residence was on the 12100 block of Amherst Circle. In the latest bust, authorities seized 170,000 fentanyl pills outside of an Aurora apartment. A top commander with the Adams County Sheriff's Office will be suspended after pointing a rifle at co-workers in January. - 7 pounds heroin and 7 pounds crack 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). We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. 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. PHOTO BY QUINCY SNOWDON/Sentinel Colorado. The three suspects were identified as 25-year-old Martin Eduardo BustosTorres, 23 . During the same time, another defendant, Rodrigo Mora-Sanchez, made 33 cash deposits totaling more than $600,000. Vallejo-Gallo, who is in her early 40s, faces more than 50 counts, including the rarely levied charge of continuing a criminal enterprise or a drug kingpin charge, according to local U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. 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. ", RELATED: Denver Health Officials Warn About Increase In Deadly Overdoses Linked To Fentanyl. 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. Colorado Drug Threat Assessment 2 Colorado's well-developed transportation infra - structure and its central location in the western United States are ideal for the movement of licit and illicit goods into and through the state. The investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force has been going on for at least a year. 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. Investigators part of the North Metro Task Force Drug Task Force says more than 40,000 Fentanyl pills and 20 pounds of cocaine were seized. Fountain Police arrested a convicted felon for drugs in his car the same day he was sentenced for another crime. It was led by Saul Ramon Rivera-Beltran, 30, of Thornton, according to the DEA, who they said coordinated the drug shipments and deals from Mexico. FBI identifies Aurora woman as suspected, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Get to know all 17 Denver mayor candidates , FBI identifies Aurora woman as suspected kingpin of Mexican drug ring busted in metro area, Denver in top 10 for most guns intercepted at airport security in 2022, Former Navy law enforcement specialist arrested in Colorado in connection to Jan. 6 insurrection, Coloradans lose about $25M in cryptocurrency scams, FBI says, Vehicle owners can register for car theft deterrent program DenverTrack, Missing indigenous person alert issued out of Thornton for endangered teen, Man wanted in Adams County on 13 counts of child sex assault is arrested in Denver, Colorado property owners to face astronomical tax increases next year, After School Satan Club launching first Colorado chapter, but organizer promises "we are not devil worshippers", PHOTOS: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band play Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado landlords say eviction-protection proposal could make dropping problem renters too hard, No more greasy pizza boxes, paper towels or takeout containers in Front Range compost bins come April 1, 5 can't-miss menus for Denver Restaurant Week, After teen's death, Denver East High students walk out to advocate for gun legislation, Boulder house where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Metro Denver housing market crosses firmly into negative territory in February, Kiszla: With Brendan Rodgers down and out, Kris Bryant could become $182 million face of worst team in Rockies history, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. AURORA | An Aurora woman has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for conspiring to transport large quantities of illicit drugs from Mexico into the U.S., according to the Department of Justice. Ever., Seizure of 200,000 fentanyl pills declared one, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Get to know all 17 Denver mayor candidates , Seizure of 200,000 fentanyl pills declared one of largest ever in Colorado, Woman attempted 4 carjackings in 9 minutes, Denver police say. Investigators say 12 people, most of whom were already in jail on unrelated charges prior to the drug ring investigation, were able to sneak narcotics into the jail with mail.

Drug bust in the Denver metro on Thursday. A Baghdad alum, she has 4 grown children and lives with her husband and her mom. Come Wednesday, families will be receiving their SNAP benefits without the additional emergency allotments they've been getting for the last three years. Residential rent analysis company, Rentometer, found other double-digit spikes around Colorado from 2021 to 2022 rent increased 15% in Aurora, 13% in Boulder, and shot up 18% in Fort Collins. Published: Jun. Courtesy of the Adams County Sheriff's Office. An 18thJudicial District grand jury indicted eight people, some of whom were related, on charges of smuggling and distributing meth, heroin and fentanyl pills, all of which originated in Mexico. Press Release. DENVER (KDVR) Police have announced a significant drug bust in Denver that turned up more than 200 pounds of drugs, including meth, cocaine, heroin, crack and thousands of fentanyl pills. There was a 403 percent increase in the number of pounds seized of fentanyl between 2017 and last year on Colorados highways. Two people got caught with an illegal psilocybin mushroom grow and other drugs in a Lyons home. All rights reserved. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. In 2021, illegal fentanyl killed 709 people in Colorado, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They expect to lose product, but what they want the most is to get them money down south,Besser said. Besser said the I-70 and I-25 corridors are where the deadly drugs head East while money heads South. Greeley Police arrested a 26-year-old man for reportedly selling large amounts of illegal drugs in the area. "They have a bunch of Alprazolam (Xanax) and oxycodone in with other peoples names on, the thing wrapped up in money sock full of money," an officer can be heard saying on bodycam video. They pulled him over, smelled marijuana, and found the drugs and cash in the car. She could be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison if convicted. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Rep. Diane DeGette is pushing legislation to expand a federal program to help people pay their utility bills and still make ends meet. The Adams County Sheriff's Office says they were part of a large task force which took down a massive drug bust. Now: 1 location off miss & Peoria in aurora. In the last 20 years in Colorado, nearly 5,000 Coloradans died from a prescription opioid overdose. On Feb. 28, the drug task force made up of officers from the Safford, Thatcher, and Pima Police departments, Graham County Sheriff's Office, and Arizona Department of Public Safety, raided the residence at about 6:45 a.m. by announcing their presence via a loudspeaker and breaching the front door using door rams and pry bars. AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - A popular grocery store in Aurora was raided as part of the takedown of a large-scale cocaine and methamphetamine organization. By Tony Keith. Tapia-Rubio is named in the court records, among 13 other people. 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Fentanyl is being mixed with heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and illegally produced marijuana. If convicted Vallejo-Gallo could face 20 years to life in federal prison. When bought in bulk, fentanyl pills that used to cost $8 to $10 can now be found for just $1. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. APD estimated the drugs' street value at more than $200,000. Most street users will not purposely want to take fentanyl some do, but for the most part they dont, because of how serious it is, how its so hard to dose because a microscopic amount can be fatal and theyre fearful of that, he said. 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, Five people were arrested in Fort Collins after their alleged role in a drug bust. Well over 300 special agents and officers arrested 28 defendants for drug trafficking and related crimes during early morning raids. Law enforcement officials said cartels have designed the latest batches to be attractive to young people, with one official comparing their creativity to Baskin-Robbins ice cream flavors. They were taken by surprise by Biden's sudden announcement that he would not stop Congress from blocking D.C.'s new sentencing guidelines from going into effect. 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. Temperatures will be slightly cooler than where we should be for this time of year. APD makes several arrests in Social Media Drug Operation. Robert D. Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Gregory Thomas, Chief of the Aurora Police Department (APD), announced today the arrest of three individuals for violation . Inside the home, officials say they found more than 243 jars with THC oil/wax, more than 5.6 pounds . Fatal doses involving the drug have skyrocketed since 2015, and last year, more than 800 Coloradans died after , It sounded just like a plot out of Breaking Bad. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Law enforcement hasnt yet arrested the original dealer, believed to be in Mexico, who coordinated with the group. 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. Click here to view all charges. - An Aurora resident was indicted for his part in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine. According. Denver Restaurant Week is officially upon us! Obviously with the nexus of I-25 and I-70, Colorado seems I think to have a disproportionate share of interstate drug trafficking that flows through our state, Dunn said. They then distributed the substances across the state. Win tickets to Cheyenne Frontier Days, The Daddy of 'Em All before tickets go on sale! Investigators said it is believed the drug trafficking ring in Colorado has ties to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. 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. 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. This was an organization that was working here bringing it in from the west coast.. The officers were conducting surveillance on the suspect and knew he had a felony warrant out for his arrest. Food Bank of the Rockies says statewide, that's about $53 million to $55 million less per month. February 21, 2023. Mills was arrested at the Race Street location. A 19-year-old Arizona man is under arrest in Colorado's high country after authorities found large amounts of drugs in his car. Dezmen Albritton. 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. AURORA, Colo. A 24-year-old man was arrested on drug charges late last month after a four-month investigation. Several of the suspects appeared in federal custody hearings Feb. 19. Lieutenant Greg Spayth says the incident was a sizable bust that will keep these drugs off the street. Deputies found 274 marijuana plants and 60 pounds of packaged pot in an illegal grow operation. The indictment claims that a person named Julian Green was the "leader and supervisor" of the operation. Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. There's a rise in anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts. Angelina Maestas posted court documents on Facebook that openly accused another member of the trafficking operation with cooperating with police. But make no mistake: In this case, my understanding is the drugs here were actually bound for Colorado. Daytime high temperatures will be in the mid to upper 40s throughout the front range. They also confiscated 9.4 pounds of heroin, a kilo of cocaine, four guns including an AR15 rifle and a 9 mm handgun, and an undisclosed amount of cash. 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 . FBI identifies Aurora woman as suspected kingpin of Mexican drug ring busted in metro area U.S. Attorney photo Authorities seized 400 pounds of methamphetamine, 15,000 fentanyl pills, five pounds. Tipsters can remain anonymous. Five people were discovered dead inside a Colorado apartment where a 4-month-old baby was also found alive after what police are investigating as a drug-fueled party involving fentanyl . For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9NEWS" to find the free app to add to your account. Aurora, IL crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates Meaning heavier snow in southern Colorado and across the south-eastern plains. In an unrelated traffic stop of a vehicle headed toward Tulsa, Oklahoma, on I-70 in February, 30,000 fentanyl pills were collected. So its often mixed with other substances, oftentimes inert substances, and then pressed into pill form to look like prescription oxycodone.. 24-year-old Hernan Ramirez was arrested in late December after a monthslong investigation. Four. The case involves a wiretap investigation that began in December and also netted $60,000 in stolen merchandise. 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. Colorado Drug Bust: Heroin, Cocaine & Fentanyl Found Phoenix Man's Car A 19-year-old Arizona man is under arrest in Colorado's high country after authorities found large amounts of drugs in. The DEA says his busts have kept 20 tons of illicit drugs off the streets . "I hope to return to the Senate later this month," the retiring senator said in a statement. Most opioid addicts dont seek out fentanyl due to the extremely high risk of incurring a fatal overdose, Dunn said. Officials says 30 people were indicted. Drug and weapons suspect in Maven Hotel bust worked construction, has child, and lengthy criminal history Managers also noted that the person who was renting one of the rooms had requested to. During the search, authorities uncovered approximately 8.23 pounds of heroin, 4.45 pounds of methamphetamine, and $108,000 in drug money. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. Dunn and Phillips praised the collaborative effort among a variety of federal agencies that helped to build the criminal case against the trafficking groups and to arrest two dozen alleged members. It will be a mild and dry start to the weekend. "These are usually going into the hands of our teenagers and our younger adults out there, so anytime you can get a good arrest like this, any hit that we can make that takes this out of the hands of the kids, that's great," Spayth said. More than 20 lbs of cocaine, other illicit drugs, guns and wads of cash were seized in Adams County earlier this week and resulted in four people being arrested, officials said. Authorities seized 400 pounds of methamphetamine, 15,000 fentanyl pills, 5 pounds of heroin and 4 pounds of cocaine during the sweeping arrests last week, Dunn said. 5. 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. A deputy's knack for sussing out mules has made a lonely stretch of I-70 the top drug-bust site in Colorado Mesa County deputy Mike Miller has patrolled a stretch of desert west of Grand Junction for decades. This is a portion of the money they seized. Denver leaders including Mayor Michael Hancock and Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen spoke with journalists on Sunday afternoon after what police describe as a "suspicious occurrence" near Coors Field. 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. 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. According to 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner, about 200,000 fentanyl pills were recovered during the investigation along with 9.4 lbs of heroin, 1 kilogram of cocaine, four guns and. Police shared the following details about the large amount of drugs that were captured: - 179 pounds methamphetamines - 43 pounds. We can help you keep up. Example video title will go here for this video. Seven years after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines aimed at stopping the over-prescription of opioid painkillers, patients who need those medications to ease chronic pain have been left suffering, some to the point of suicide. 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. On the early morning of Thursday, Mar. Because of Thursday's law enforcement. March 11, 2022 / 7:35 PM I called this press conference because behind the scenes there is aggressive and tenacious police work and prosecution being done to save lives and bring justice," Besser said. Jared Polis has endorsed the proposal to change the name of Mount Evans in a letter to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names. They also confiscated 9.4 pounds of heroin, a 2.2 pounds of cocaine, four guns including an AR-15. Today our community is safer, Phillips said. The civil forfeiture documents filed in federal court in Colorado name 14 people and mention there are others involved in bringing cocaine and meth from Mexico to Colorado.