The traffickers probably netted at least $1.5 million per year before their scheme was closed down, police said. U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello pronounced the sentences. If convicted, each defendant faces a minimum of 10 years, and up to life in prison. Major drug enforcement action in Montrose, 13 people indicted, Congresswoman Boeberts Trust the Science bill passes House committee, Mesa County Sheriffs Office responds to shooting, Community mural: hundreds of helping hands, Murray scores 34, Nuggets beat Suns 125-107 in Game 1, Perdomo, Walker homer in D-backs 11-4 win over Rockies, Defending champ Avs force Game 7 with 4-1 win over Kraken, [email protected] - (970) 424-5737. For our drug task force to be able to get the information they did and generate the interests of the DEA, in my opinion is very tremendous, Chinn said. A months-long investigation in Colorado Springs ended with the arrest of William Johns on Aug. 4. . The defendants are identified as: Daniel Gastelo-Ochoa, 32, Denver; Carlos Quijano-Ruiz, 52, Montrose; Rafael Jaramillo-Hernandez, 32, Montrose; Catyria Gisela Lopez-Gomez, 41, Fort Collins; Margarita Jaquelin Cruz-Gomez, 35, Montrose; Dalilah Suarez-Lopez, 23, Fort Collins; and Carlos Aurelio Beltran-Gonzalez, 32, Montrose. 17, 2019 at 1:56 PM PDT. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Drug cells in Colorado were operating in the Denver area, including Adams County, and in Colorado Springs. Eleven are arrested . The task force investigation grew to encompass more and more agencies; as more information was obtained, it became obvious that more locations were involved, including Utah, Nevada and California, Dunlap said. Prosecutors later added a charge of tampering with a witness or informant, according to court documents, after Maestas posted court documents on Facebook that openly accused another member of the trafficking operation with cooperating with police. Drug bust ripples through town | News | telluridenews.com Authorities announced a massive drug bust operation that was years in the making out of Colorado. (Statistics) are a way of letting our citizens know that controlled substances within Montrose County is a top priority of ours, Dunlap said. Devin Booker sulked. "We look forward to continuing the prosecutions in the case and ensuring that this drug ring is stomped out permanently.". This is a full story that makes its debut in todays print edition. The song, titled El de la Super Duty, details Briceno-Quijanos life and many exploits, and according to court documents, contains a surprising amount of truth to both his life and is illicit activities. The defendants also face additional charges as well in relation to the distribution of meth and heroin. Major Drug Bust at Multiple Homes in Mesa County Montrose Daily Press 3684 N Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO 81401 | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | The MONTROSE PRESS is owned by Wick Communications. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - (KREX) There were drug busts at several homes in Mesa County as the Sheriff's office assisted the Drug Enforcement Agency in taking down illegal grow operations. Montrose strikes drug traffickers again with 1.8m heroin bust 12 May 2022 Topic: Operational activity Storyline: 42 Commando The Royal Navy delivered its fourth blow to drug traffickers in the Middle East in as many months as HMS Montrose seized nearly 2m heroin. The suspected meth was located in a backpack in the trunk, along with an AR15-style rifle that was loaded. Major drug bust in Colorado as authorities uncover possible 'drug The cocaine was taken during a bust in the Target parking lot in Montrose. On behalf of the Montrose County Sheriffs Office, I would like to commend the DEA for its leadership and assistance with this operation, said Montrose County Sheriff Gene Lillard. 13 people in Montrose County were indicted on Tuesday following a year-long drug trafficking investigation. During the investigation, $1.25 million was seized along 33.7 pounds of cocaine, 126.6 pounds of methamphetamine, 56.2 pounds of heroin, 31 guns and seven vehicles. Editors note: The Montrose Daily Press broke this story online Wednesday. Of the 13 defendants indicted in the case, three, including Maestas, have pleaded guilty. DENVER, Colo. (KJCT) - A major ringleader in the Western Slope drug trafficking business has been sentenced to federal prison. The city of Pueblo shared information on "Operation Double Dippin" with the public on Wednesday. According to court documents, including the stipulated facts contained in the defendants plea agreements,Maestas conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture of a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and less than 100 grams of heroin. Montrose County marijuana bust yields 1,500 pounds worth estimated $4.5 million News Crime and Public Safety Bust uncovers 1,500 pounds of marijuana, worth estimated $4.5 million, in. Briceno-Quijano was involved in sending illegal narcotics from Mexico to the Western Slope, where he would distribute the drugs via a phone-order system. Those documents were protected by court order. var year = today.getFullYear() Lock Authorities say they found. The cases against the other 10 defendants are pending. Over time, authorities realized the breadth of the illegal drug operation was taking place over the entire Front Range of Colorado, according to the city of Pueblo. "The distribution was probably nationwide.". Thats a major hit. Police obtained a search warrant and raided the house in the 1000 block of Fairview on March 2. 64 people indicted in massive Colorado drug, 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), 64 people indicted in massive Colorado drug ring bust, Greeley police shoot, kill man who allegedly shot at them; no officers injured, Missing Indigenous Person Alert canceled after teenage girl found safe, Missing Indigenous Person Alert created for woman last seen in Englewood. Delivered right as the newspaper goes to print on Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays. Create a password that only you will remember. 64 people indicted in massive Colorado drug ring bust Booking records showed Lafond with a $2 million bond and Kissell with a $100,000 bond. Booking records showed Lafond with a $2 million bond and Kissell with a $100,000 bond. One arrested in I-70 drug bust - nbc11news.com Once Briceno-Quijano had a drug order, he would send a courier to make the delivery. They were bringing them back to a location here in Montrose and how these people have affected that particular neighborhood has, in my opinion, been pretty horrific. The defendants, who appeared in U.S. District Court in Denver this past week, face federal drug charges for the alleged distribution of methamphetamine and heroin, a news release said. Five men recently indicted on drug trafficking charges were moving pounds of methamphetamine into Montrose as part of a scheme that utilized courier services, the 7th Judicial District Drug. When you arrest high profile offenders, you should see a reduction in crime overall in your community, says Blaine Hall, Chief of Police for the City of Montrose. On Thursday, the Pueblo Police Department . The only other defendant who has so far been sentenced, Joseph Davis, was ordered to serve 151 months in federal prison.