Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. 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. These people (allegedly) were in the process of bringing these drugs back here to our city, Chinn said. About 30 officers from both local and federal agencies arrested five people between here and Montrose and seized 15 pounds of cocaine and four firearms. Keeler: Chris Paul got dirty. Senior Writer. 13 people in Montrose County were indicted on Tuesday following a year-long drug trafficking investigation. This substantial sentence is an appropriate one for someone that caused tremendous damage to a small Colorado community and then tried to undermine the judicial process by intimidating a witness, said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. Investigators seized three handguns, the rifle and five loaded magazines, he said. "That's a major hit. Kissell also is suspected as a special offender with respect to importation. The Drug Enforcement Agency broke up the drug operation with the help of the Montrose Police Department and the Montrose County Sheriff. Lopez-Gomez would often transfer the funds through Dinero Rapido, a business located in Montrose, Colorado. With my moms blessing and my old mans advice, backed up by my friend Y who is my friend. Law enforcement spoke with Montezuma County Sheriff Deputy Victor Galarza, who was a Mexican diplomat to the United States from 1989 to 1992 and focuses heavily on Mexican narco culture. Galarza stated that the song was a personal narcocorrido, likely commissioned by Briceno-Quijano himself. Adan Carillo-Murillo, a 22-year-old man, was arrested and jailed at the Mesa County Detention Facility. Editors note: The Montrose Daily Press broke this story online Wednesday. CENTER, Colo. (KKTV) - Authorities uncovered what were believed to be "operating drug distribution centers" in a small Colorado town. More than 900 of those deaths were due to synthetic opioids that included fentanyl. In Denver alone, there were 350 drug overdose deaths between Jan. 1, 2020, and Nov. 30, said Deanne Reuter, special agent in charge with the DEA, at the news conference. Chinn, Dunlap and Lillard praised the local task force, DEA, Western Slope Task Force and other agencies. Following her prison sentence, Maestas was ordered to serve 5 years on supervised release. This case was investigated by the DEA with substantial support from the Montrose Police Department and the Montrose County Sheriff. The investigation uncovered a money-laundering operation that trafficked drug proceeds through a variety of wire transfers and bulk cash transports to Mexico, authorities said. This coordinated effort led to the simultaneous arrest of all thirteen people in various parts of Montrose on Tuesday. That number is rising sharply, from 49 deaths in 2016 to 220 in 2019, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. On Tuesday, the Center Police Department shared an update. A state, federal and local investigation has busted a Colorado drug and money laundering ring with ties to Mexico and 64 people have been indicted by a state grand jury. This defendant was a ring-leader in a major drug trafficking operation, impacting a small community in Colorado, said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. My parents are from Los Mochis, and I am proud to say it. This included material that identified at least one co-conspirator who Maestas alleged cooperated with police. Montrose Daily Press DENVER - Sixty-four people have been charged in Colorado for their alleged involvement in what officials called an international trafficking and money laundering ring that dealt with fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin and firearms, according to law enforcement officials. Each defendant faces a minimum of ten years and up to life in federal prison if convicted. DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Six people were arrested Friday on multiple drug charges after a search in Darlington County, according to the Darlington County Sheriff's Office. Both are pictured at the top of this article. He also suspected as a special offender with respect to alleged drug importation, and is accused of being a habitual criminal, per the CBI records. By Tony Keith. "We look forward to continuing the prosecutions in the case and ensuring that this drug ring is stomped out permanently.". It was excellent work between all agencies combined and especially for our drug task force, Sheriff Rick Dunlap said. MONTROSE Five people were arrested this morning in Montrose and Telluride on allegations related to cocaine trafficking and weapons smuggling. 303-454-0243 direct; 303-489-2047 cell. Please give us a call at 970-249-3444, Copyright Authorities say they found. The focus of the investigation was in Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Denver. While about 22.5 million Americans misuse illicit drugs or alcohol, only a small number of those people receive treatment. 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. Thirteen defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury with drug distribution charges following a year-long investigation done by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Montrose County. 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. MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) Four people have been arrested following a major drug bust operation on the Western Slope, the Grand Junction Police Department said Thursday. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - A multi-agency law enforcement operation that targeted members of a drug-trafficking organization in Montrose has led to the indictment of three individuals. Police reported that they also seized about $500,000 worth of hydroponic growing equipment found inside eight other houses throughout the Houston area. Kieran Nicholson, who has been with The Denver Post since 1986, covers breaking news. Authorities announced a massive drug bust operation that was years in the making out of Colorado. Booking records showed Lafond with a $2 million bond and Kissell with a $100,000 bond. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Colorado, Defendant Angelina Maestas is 1 of 13 defendants charged in large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy in Montrose, Montrose Resident Sentenced To Serve Over 13 Years In Federal Prison For Possession and Distribution of Methamphetamine and Heroin as well as Witness Intimidation, California Man Found Guilty for Role in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, Colorado Springs Man Convicted by Federal Jury for Gun and Drug Crimes, Colorado Springs Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking. Let us know what's going on! ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The Adams County Sheriff's Office says four people were arrested on Wednesday in a large-scale drugs and firearms bust. As of Wednesday, 40 of the 65 people charged have been arrested. In addition to her drug charge, Maestas also committed witness, victim or informant tampering. From Oct. 22, 2019, to Feb. 11, 2021, the Colorado Statewide Grand Jury returned indictments which included multiple alleged violations of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act and the Colorado Controlled Substances Act, Weiser said. 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. Close to $1 million has. Colorado communities and families have suffered greatly from the opioid epidemicand that impact is getting worse during this pandemic. One-in-four of the pills sold in Colorado contain what could be a lethal dose of Fentanyl. Seven additional suspects have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into a drug and money laundering ring on the Western Slope, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. It should reap some huge benefits for the neighborhood as the result of this.. It (meth) not only impacts our community as a large part, but also impacts the entire Western Slope with this kind of volume coming in our area.. I did not like school, and very young I left from home from my parents and went to Colorado, it is where all this started. The only other defendant who has so far been sentenced, Joseph Davis, was ordered to serve 151 months in federal prison. Spokesman, Public Affairs Officer Kissell has previous arrests for drug possession and forgery of a record filed with a public official, according to those records. Have a question about Government Services? ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Police said those arrested . The lyrics below are translated from Spanish. Fax Line: (303) 454-0400. File photo of the Facebook logo. They said they discovered a sophisticated marijuana-growing operation and more than 600 plants. Investigators part of the North Metro Task. According to GJPD . Since 2015, the task force has handled more than 100 cases and seized nearly 30 pounds of meth, along with more than 30 ounces of cocaine, 40 grams of heroin, 1,250 marijuana plants and 2,525 pounds of dried marijuana, as well as firearms and one vehicle used in the commission of these crimes. DENVER, Colo. (KJCT) - A major ringleader in the Western Slope drug trafficking business has been sentenced to federal prison. this drug arrest has had more impact on people here in Montrose than just about any other I can remember.. For the united Villages. Jeff Dorschner An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Were likely to see more of these sorts of arrests but probably not to this scale. 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. Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander Duncan and Zachary Phillips handled the prosecution. 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. In my opinion, this one probably has more potential to affect more people.. A recent increase in drug overdose deaths in Colorado and across the country can be traced to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, according to authorities. This was a lengthy prosecution that involved 13 defendants. 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. The traffickers probably netted at least $1.5 million per year before their scheme was closed down, police said. 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"This substantial sentence is an appropriate one for someone that caused tremendous damage to a small Colorado community and then tried to undermine the judicial process by intimidating a witness," said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. Omar Briceno-Quijano, a 31-year-old resident of Montrose, Colorado, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Adam Livermore, Jonas Najar Jr., and Angela Schmid have been indicted by a grand jury for the distribution of methamphetamine, possession of firearms by prohibited persons, as well as conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Drug cells in Colorado were operating in the Denver area, including Adams County, and in Colorado Springs. The pair is suspected on suspicion of drug transportation and weapons offenses. It's a health crisis that's been increasingly in the public eye, but the newest data are still startling: Some 912 people died of an overdose in 2016 - a state record. Related court documents can be found onPACERby searching for Case Numbers 19-cr-535 and 20-cr-0166. A lock ( The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Phillips. The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. The courier was typically Luis Ibarra-Tadeo, one of his co-defendants, though he occasionally used others. "They had the houses set up on timers. Mike Glenn grew up in the Navy but enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school in Rockwall, Texas. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Western Colorado Drug Task force seized seven pounds of heroine, six ounces of cocaine, and $10,000 in cash. Suite 1600 Deput The suspected meth was located in a backpack in the trunk, along with an AR15-style rifle that was loaded. The local task force is made up of police and Montrose County Sheriffs officers, plus an assistant. This address has come to our attention probably in the last three to six months (and) has become a huge burden on our resources, he said. Thats why addressing this crisis is a top priority for our office, Weiser said. All 13 defendants were Montrose Residents. var today = new Date() If convicted, each defendant faces not more than 20 years in federal prison. Of the 13 defendants indicted in the case, three, including Maestas, have pleaded guilty. "The primary distribution cell was linked to the PAYAN DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION (DTO) based in Mexico. PUBLISHED: July 6, 2022 at 4:08 p.m. | UPDATED: July 6, 2022 at 5:01 p.m. State and federal authorities confiscated 200,000 fentanyl pills, 9.4 pounds of . Authorities announced a massive drug bust operation that was years in the making out of Colorado. This significant sentence demonstrates our commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to keep offenders from dealing drugs on our streets.. var today = new Date() We won't share it with anyone else. Court documents state that Briceno-Quijano was the leader of the operation due to his relationship to his underlings. You have permission to edit this article. On Thursday, the Pueblo Police Department . High profile offenderstheyre not just committing drug crimes. In all, agents and officers from several. Those seated were customers and later let go, according to . Calls about suspicious activity in a Montrose neighborhood set off a chain of events that led to multiple agencies uncovering and disrupting a possible drug pipeline between here and California. Information about the case was released Wednesday afternoon. 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 cocaine was taken during a bust in the Target parking lot in Montrose. The investigation, initiated and steadily pursued by the 7th Judicial Drug Task Force, resulted in a Jan. 26 traffic stop on Interstate 70 and the arrests of Robert Lafond and Alicia Kissell plus the recovery of 10 pounds of methamphetamine and weapons. Drug operation leads to three arrests in Montrose By (Calvin Corey) Published: Oct. 15, 2020 at 11:23 AM PDT GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - A multi-agency law enforcement operation that targeted. Keeler: Chris Paul got dirty. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Oct 1, 2009 Updated Dec 19, 2014. An investigation into an alleged cocaine distribution ring in Rifle has led to the seizure of 1.4 pounds of cocaine, three firearms, and more than $39,000 in cash, a Friday Rifle Police Department news release states. 1801 California Street Devin Booker sulked. It's official: Jamal Murray, Nuggets are in Phoenix's heads now. U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello pronounced the sentences. He led a platoon of cavalry troopers in combat during the Gulf War. Some are calling one of the largest ever in Western Colorado. "She felt it was odd that they would buy a $300,000 house and not live there or rent it to anybody," an undercover narcotics officer said. Kevin Durant moped. Once Briceno-Quijano had a drug order, he would send a courier to make the delivery. Delivered right as the newspaper goes to print on Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays. According to the sentencing agreement, Briceno-Quijano is also the subject of a drug trade themed narrative ballad known as a narcocorrido, a subgenre of the regional Mexican narrative ballad genre. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. var year = today.getFullYear() In San Luis Rio Colorado, I am well protected by some people, and also by a forty, which is the one that protects me.
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