two thirds of Americans favor recreational pot and around 80% favor medical marijuana. Defendants face charges including racketeering, distribution of controlled substances and money laundering. They also recovered from the drug ring 250 pounds of methamphetamine, 60 pounds of heroin, 6.8 kilograms of cocaine, 12 firearms, 19 vehicles and $931,000 in U.S. currency. So, in Denver, there are over 600 cannabis cultivation facilities. It's official: Jamal Murray, Nuggets are in Phoenix's heads now. He was in the Denver County jail as of Friday night. / CBS Colorado. You can listen to the first three episodes hereor listen in the player below. RCMP arrest 14 people, seize 'significant quantity of drugs, firearms and cash' in major drug trafficking bust. Fentanyl alone drove the increase in opioid deaths in 2020, according to the Colorado Health Institute. The massive bust was a collaboration between Carroll County, New Hampshire and Maine. They had paperwork that was official and signed by the state of Colorado. All rights reserved. Officials say Candelaria Vallejo-Gallo is from Mexico and was in the country illegally. The DEA says this fentanyl bust is part of a national crisis. 11 people now facing charges after months-long investigation involving police in Winnipeg, B.C. Authorities arrested five people in connection with an alleged . The fentanyl is believed to have been manufactured south of the U.S. border, and smuggled into the U.S. and eventually brought to Colorado. In 2015, Joe was caught with $374,000, a gun, and 66 pounds of marijuana. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. (CBS4) - The U.S. Department of Justice says a drug strike force dismantled a major drug dealing operation which was working in Denver and Aurora. The officials said most of the drugs were transported through ports of entry at the U.S.-Mexico border and made their way to Colorado in vehicles with concealed compartments. The drug ring was in operation as early as July 2015. April 28, 2020 / 11:48 AM / CBS Colorado COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Colorado Springs made a big drug bust in Fountain thanks to the help of K9 officer Sugar. They were using skydiving planes to ship pot out of state. The 2020 rate of 25 deaths per 100,000 people is 39% higher than the rate recorded in 2019 and triple the rate from 2000. He confessed to police everything he knew about Nguyen's operation, overturning the largest pot smuggling drug ring in Colorado since legalization. Here's an example. 2020 / 07:49 PM MDT. And then in conjunction with what I was saying earlier, too, they could establish their warehouse right next to the hundreds of legitimate ones that are spread throughout the city. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. If convicted of being a kingpin, Vallejo-Gallo faces at least 20 years and potentially life in prison. Following a drug bust in Colorado this week where 110,000 counterfeit pills cut with fentanyl were seized, one Front Range District Attorney is calling for revised laws surrounding the drug. By holding accountable the high-level organizers of this criminal enterprise and halting the spread of dangerous drugs, we can help save lives in Colorado. Denver residents can also get that medicine, along with fentanyl test strips, sent to them for free from the city. 35 people were arrested earlier this week after a drug distribution investigation between police departments and officials . Officers found more than $760,000 worth of drugs. All are facing numerous charges for possession and distribution of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. First published on April 28, 2020 / 11:48 AM. But that's not to say that there isn't also a thriving black market in states that have legalized weed. The show covers some pretty dramatic SWAT raids that happened when the group was busted. 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.. Drug bust - definition of drug bust by The Free Dictionary They'd covered the bust, but they were on to other things. I mean, how did you balance wanting to spotlight the work law enforcement did, while also giving voice to people on the other side of this bust all without feeling like either side was playing you? I approached the Colorado Department of Law. According to the three and information from the attorney generals office, the 64 people who have been charged saw Colorado Statewide Grand Jury indictments against them returned between October 2019 and Thursday. June 17, 2020 at 5:33 p.m. Officials with the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force arrested six people and seized methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, pot, counterfeit . The indictment does not mention the cartel, though it said Beltran received a call from a Mexican phone number and discussed drug dealing with the caller. September 3, 2021 / 3:46 PM 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. However, the drug ring's alleged leader -- Rivera-Beltran -- is being held in Arapahoe County on a $1M cash-only bond. Acting DEA Administrator Timothy Shea announced the bust at a press conference Wednesday. One of the questions that is raised in "The Syndicate" is about how the medical marijuana system can be gamed, like it was by thealleged ringleaderTri Nguyen. Aurora Woman Who Was 'Kingpin' Of Drug Running Operation Sentenced To Prison. First and foremost is we don't want people to die preventable deaths. Arthur Mills, 59, was arrested on Thursday, according to the Denver Police Department. In the past 20 years. Peel saw 191 fatal drug overdoses in 2021 -- up from. Reproduction of material from any Salon pages without written permission is strictly prohibited. The DEA began its investigation in April 2021. Kiszla: One-hit wonders? Every single person was different,so those conversations were always interesting for me to test out. That's just like a massive wave of support for federal legalization, which could immediately tackle part of this problem. And then even if you have legal dispensaries, you'll also need to ensure supply and then also have a competitive price. Noun 1. drug bust - seizure of illegal drugs by the police drugs bust impounding, impoundment, internment, poundage - placing private property in the. It's an FDA-approved medicine to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Over the course of 8 months, authorities determined a drug trafficking ring led by Saul Ramon Rivera-Beltran, of Thornton, coordinated drug shipments and deals with a cartel in Mexico. DENVER (KDVR) Law enforcement announced Wednesday the results of a very significant operation that resulted in the arrest and charging of more than two dozen members of a major Mexican drug trafficking operation based in Denver. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. WESTMINSTER, Colo. (CBS4) - The North Metro Drug Task Force arrested two men for allegedly selling drugs from a home after receiving more than 100 complaints. On Tuesday, the Center Police Department shared an update on the bust. You'd have to be continually hiding that from, you know, even like your local garbage collector. So they got plenty of attention at the time, there was a big press conference at the Colorado Attorney General's office, and every outlet in Denver and many around the country, as well, covered this story. RELATED: Big Denver Drug Bust: Dealer Allegedly Had Nearly 10,000 Fentanyl Pills, 179 Pounds Of Meth. . Forty-two percent of illicit fentanyl pills tested by the DEA nationwide contained at least 2 mg of fentanyl, considered a potentially lethal dose. Please enter valid email address to continue. Between 2016 and 2020, the number of fentanyl deaths has increased tenfold. Police arrested the alleged drug dealers in Colorado, Arizona, and California. Was that a fear of yours? If youre thinking of altering your workout routine, youre probably looking for new exercises and equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. Why First Republic failed. DPS says it has plenty of mental health professionals after school board directive to add more, Wyoming won't give wolves to Colorado; CPW doesn't know where it will get them, Isolated storms Tuesday; 70s here to stay. Four others are in Mexico and one is at large in the U.S. The Adams County SWAT team went into. / CBS Colorado, UPDATE: Aurora Woman Who Was 'Kingpin' Of Drug Running Operation Sentenced To Prison. 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. Additionally, the defendant must be an organizer, supervisor or manager of at least five other persons connected in the same activity, and obtain substantial income or resources from the series of violations, U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn said. Most of the drugs came from Mexico and have a street value in the "millions of dollars," according to Dunn. I mean, it thoroughly dismantled this group. This criminal enterprise was responsible for poisoning our community and furthering the opioid and meth epidemic but today our community is safer, Phillips said. Could you talk some about that? by: Deborah Takahara. Milinovich said as of July 31, Peel Region has seen 71 overdose-related deaths, 80 per cent of which are suspected to be linked to opioids. Fentanyl has been found mixed with or in place of oxycodone tablets, cocaine, and heroin in the Denver area, according to DDPHE. On that note, you mentioned that you knew early on that you wanted to speak with people on both sides you know, growing and distributing, and then on the law enforcement side. Officers found more . Keeler: Chris Paul got dirty. Then there is state involvement as well. Four people have been arrested following a major drug bust on the Western Slope, the Grand Junction Police Department said Thursday. At about 9:30 in the morning multiple law enforcement agencies executed two search warrants in the Casa de Cortez Apartments. Well and you address this in the podcast but what is the reality like for someone who is growing illegally who wants to start growing legally? In Denver, the Denver Department of Health reported "the percentage change in drug-related deaths for the six months of January-June from 2019 to 2020 was 83%, with fentanyl-related overdose deaths experiencing a 354% increase in those same timeframes." What I hope you take away from the indictment today of 19 people who were peddling poison in our community is that one pill alone can kill, 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner said, noting law enforcement likely saved thousands of lives by confiscating the pills. An eight-month investigation into a drug trafficking ring based in metro Denver led law enforcement to seize 110,000 fentanyl pills, 13 pounds of meth, 8 pounds of heroin, 24 pounds of cocaine. Four of those charges related to a drug felony in a public park. This is a part of the story that is told very differently depending on who you talk to. Mexican cartel elements such as this criminal enterprise are directly responsible for the steady high rate of overdose deaths in the United States from both opioids and methamphetamine. On the drug smuggler side, it was a horrific experience, having a SWAT team bust through your windows and explode flash bangs in your home and terrorize your family. Police said Wednesday they had seized nearly $11.6 million in cash, proceeds of crime and assets . You need some of those more cinematic elements to just kind of coax your audience into some of the more intellectual questions that arise from these types of stories. Right. Mills has gone before a judge and bond was set. CBS4's Karen Morfitt spoke to Marion Rorke, Substance Use Coordinator for DDPHE, in February about the program that launched in September 2021. ", First published on December 2, 2021 / 10:11 AM. Right, so the reality of the situation is that weed is still illegal at the federal level, and not all states have legal weed. Officialssays 30 people were indicted including the so-called drug kingpin who ran the operation. / CBS Colorado. Of the 30 defendants indicted, 24 have been arrested and one is in state custody on a separate charge. DENVER (CBS4) - The Drug Enforcement Administration announced a "major investigation" involving the seizure of 110,000 fentanyl-laced pills in the Denver metro area. I mean, California is experiencing problems on that front because weed is so heavily taxed there that many people are still choosing to use their street dealer rather than buying it a dispensary. Colorado communities and families have suffered greatly from the opioid epidemicand that impact is getting worse during this pandemic. DENVER (CBS4)- Denver public health officials are warning residents about a recent increase in deadly overdoses, specifically those linked to fentanyl, and a quickly changing drug supply. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Drug overdoses whether it's opioids or other types are preventable," she said. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. DEA Denver Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge David Olesky said a year ago, a large seizure would have been anywhere from 5,000-10,000 . "This criminal enterprise was responsible for poisoning our community and furthering the meth and opioid epidemic, but today our community is safer" said. Why First Republic failed. It sounds like a movie. 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There's a lot of considerations that need to be carefully weighed to make sure we can slowly chip away at the black market. "This investigation is not about the amount of drugs seized or number of people arrested," said Olesky. Greed is a traffickers main motivation. ", RELATED: Fentanyl-laced tablets linked to 8 overdoses in Northern Colorado. 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. I had to make a lot of decisions about what was a fair way to portray certain situations. The charges were announced Friday by Colorado Attorney General Phil . This spring, Le Creuset has introduced an exciting new shade thats already selling fast: shallot, a soft lavender with pink and slight gray undertones. Woman charged as federal 'kingpin' in major metro Denver-wide drug bust by: . Mills was arrested at the Race Street location. So, the state's stayed tight-lipped about this for about four years, but I knew that I if I could ever get access to some of the operatives who were allegedly involved in this group, as well as get the law enforcement side, it would just be a fascinating insight into how black market groups operate. I think it is an argument for taking cannabis off the schedule of drugs, or at least getting it out of Schedule I drug classification at the federal level. The find was part of a coordinated Aurora drug bust announced Feb. 19, 2020. And they [the members of "The Syndicate"] were also taking advantage of an antiquated law in Colorado called the caregiving program. Provisional data from 2021 indicates that fentanyl is present in nearly 50% of all accidental drug-related deaths in Denver, according to the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment. PHOTO BY QUINCY SNOWDON/Sentinel Colorado. Project Corredor began in Autumn 2019, Belanger said, and culminated when search warrants were carried out beginning in early 2020. The truth is probably somewhere in between in that it was probably overzealous on the side of the SWAT team, but there was probably some justification in that these guys were involved in a pretty shady underworld. For almost five years, the group had fooled regulators overseeing Colorado's medical marijuana industry by operating seemingly legitimate growhouses, all the while trafficking its harvests out of state using cars and skydiving planes. Four suspects are in Mexico and one is at large in the U.S., according to federal authorities. Those in custody are being held on a $500,000 bond or greater. And it was just shocking the size and scale of this black market operation. Tweet. Then on the law enforcement side, it's like, "Oh, well, this is absolutely justified because these people are so dangerous.". I mean, it was the largest pot bust in Colorado since the state had legalized recreational weed in 2012. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Oct. Cannabis is a big business and there's a lot of consumer demand for it, so the competition for a limited number of licenses is really stiff. Cash, guns and several vehicles were also seized, according to Phillips. But once that happened, I was able to see a lot of evidence that existed around this case that I knew existed, but was sealed to me before which included about 100 hours of recorded interrogation tape with 20 tapes. Law enforcement connected the trafficking to seven residences spread across the metro area, including homes in east Denver, Commerce City and Thornton, according to the indictment. DENVER A woman who's accused of being the ringleader of a large drug ring operation in the Denver metro area has been charged as a kingpin, a charge rarely sought, federal authorities announced Wednesday afternoon. The state of Colorado expanded the program in 2008 and quickly registered so many caregivers that the state couldn't really monitor what each and every one of them was going. By Shelly Bradbury. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. The investigation first started in March 2019 after a tip from law enforcement in Las Vegas, Reuter said. First published on February 19, 2020 / 10:59 PM. What are some of the policy issues that you're hoping people maybe do consider if they're listening to "The Syndicate"? This press conference made a splash. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. The indictment comes as drug overdose death rates in Colorado have risen to a horrific high. Authorities seize drugs, 17 guns and $44,000 cash in Larimer County drug ring bust. The investigation began in late 2018. I mean, I do some editorializing at the end of this show. Keeler: Avs fans, could we please skip Valeri Nichushkin, Nazem Kadri revisionist history? A Boogie wit da Hoodie's mug shot. Officials says 30 people were indicted. There are some states that just don't have a legal market, so by definition, the only place where you can buy cannabis in those states is "the black market.". That's a whole other set of issues. Most, if not all of the fentanyl pills were disguised to look like prescription oxycodone. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Ontario Provincial Police unveiled details of the investigation and a display of the evidence seized during operation DAYTONA in Ottawa Thursday Jan 30, 2020. The charges were announced Friday by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Denver Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne Reuter. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. But even if you were to do that, then this is returning the conversation again to states like California and, to some extent, Colorado. At a news conference on Wednesday, the District Attorney's Office for the 18th Judicial District announced the grand jury indictments of 19 people in connection with a drug-distribution ring. So, all of which to say, federal legalization is a step towards combating some of these problems, but it's a long road ahead. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. It was a collection of all these college friends and their family members that came from Minnesota to Colorado to hide undercover in the legal market. This impressive collaboration between law enforcement agencies is a true success story for making our entire community safer.. While conducting a series of arrests across Denver and Aurora Feb. 12 . Has Denver seen its last snow of the season? Because the state of Colorado is just as savvy as anyone else about garnering media attention, they knew that they could probably get more coverage of their investigation if they talked about the fact like "Oh, by the way, they were also shipping up to 900 pounds of per trip on these skydiving planes.". So there are well-established markets in both states that have legal cannabis and in states that don't. Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Dean Phillips said the technique aims to increase profits and prevent users from knowing the lethal consequences of their narcotics. They also found four firearms, two of them stolen. In that same time frame, deadly overdoses increased by 22%. This organization was preparing for a battle, Olesky said. Authorities say there is no immediate threat to their safety. Yeah, it's tough because I feel like in these situations, the truth always lies somewhere in between, right? / CBS Colorado. Thats why addressing this crisis is a top priority for our office, Weiser said in a statement. Please enter valid email address to continue. The unforgiving cycle of methamphetamine and opioid addiction is causing catastrophic damage to American families. Some of the people discussed working with people in Mexico to source the purchases, according to the indictment. Kiszla: Avs embarrass themselves with silence about Valeri Nichushkin's mysterious absence following reported 9-1-1 call. Please enter valid email address to continue. Drug Ring Busted: DEA Says Group Was Dealing 2 Pounds Of Heroin Each Week In Denver Investigators say the group was dealing over two pounds (one kilogram) of heroin every week in Denver. Federal indictments that were unsealed Wednesday name 30 defendants at least 24 have been arrested for their roles in two separate drug organizations that were involved in weekly high volume narcotics trafficking, according to Phillips. Updated: Oct 8, 2020 / 07:49 PM MDT . Elise Schmelzer is the public safety reporter at The Denver Post and covers policing, crime and criminal justice. This effort is an excellent example of what we accomplish through ongoing collaboration in our state.. You can get naloxone for free from StoptheClockColorado.org. Walker spoke with Salon about how long he waited to report this story, how the members of "The Syndicate" gamed the medical marijuana system, and what it would take for federal legalization to actually work. Law enforcement identified the shop as Supreme Auto Body which was not. And they did have registered patients as well, but they were using all their allotted plants to really grow for the black market and ship it out of state. If youre thinking of altering your workout routine, youre probably looking for new exercises and equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. 64 people indicted after bust of international drug trafficking ring in Colorado Sixty pounds of heroin, 77,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and $931,000 was seized. First published on September 3, 2021 / 3:46 PM. They figured out pretty much every person who was involved in it for a span of four years. They also took out paraphernalia consistent with illegal narcotic sales, a sawed-off shotgun and $9,434 in cash. Moreover, it would answer this main question in my mind, "If Colorado had a seemingly thriving legal market, why would you take risks to set up this massive black market operation?". 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. December 2, 2021 / 10:11 AM SUGGESTED VIDEOS | Local stories from 9NEWS. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Chinese electric vehicle brands expand to global, Qantas names chief financial officer Vanessa Hudson, These are the last days to access free COVID tests, No-knock warrant restrictions advance in Colorado, AP source: Broncos pick up Jeudys fifth-year option, Cron powers Rockies to 12-4 win over Diamondbacks, Former Broncos players daughter drowns in pool, Avs forward Cogliano fractured neck in Game 6, Le Creuset just launched a dreamy new color for spring, Our fitness expert weighs in on this years top spring, Picnic-planning ideas for the spring season, Bill to extend Medicaid coverage heads to Polis, Floods reported along I-70 near Hanging Lake exit. In October 2014, SWAT team officers and DEA agents kicked down the doors of 32 people around Denver, all members of a massive marijuana-smuggling ring. Detectives with the Gore Range Narcotics Interdiction Team made the bust Tuesday. What did it look like when you were trying to gain access to some of these people? That includes carrying naloxone with you. Eagle County Detectives Make Major Drug Bust Involving Coke, Meth And Magic Mushrooms September 3, 2021 / 3:46 PM / CBS Colorado EAGLE, Colo. (CBS4) - Detectives pulled off a major drug. Then approaching alleged members of this group was a whole other path that I had to go down. You were living in Colorado when the major drug bust happened, right? "We really do this for a lot of reasons. And what we're seeing right now is a sort of corporatization in the cannabis industry and big Wall Street-backed companies that are starting in multiple states. 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. 23 hit with "Numbers" in 2020. Agents identified Beltran as the leader of the group. In 2018, an average of nine Coloradans a month died of illicit fentanyl overdose. Legalizing weed nationally is just not going to solve the problem overnight. Copyright 2023 Salon.com, LLC. 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. Acting DEA Administrator Timothy Shea announced the bust at a press conference Wednesday. In addition to the drugs and weapons that were recovered, the investigation also dug up an alleged money laundering operating that sent money back and forth to Mexico from Adams County, Colorado Springs and the Denver area. Law enforcement would certainly tell this story one way. For me as a journalist that specializes in narrative stories, I feel like some of those details are necessary if you're really going to delve into a lot of policy angles and bigger picture questions about the law and justice in the United States. "This criminal enterprise was responsible for poisoning our community and furthering the opioid and methamphetamine epidemic, but today our community is safer," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Dean Phillips. According to the indictments and other court documents, following an investigation that began in late 2018, agents seized approximately 400 pounds of methamphetamine, five pounds of heroin, four pounds of cocaine, and 15,000 fentanyl pills, which were disguised to look like prescription oxycodone. Eight of the 19 people indicted in the trafficking ring remained at large Wednesday, officials said. Polls show that two thirds of Americans favor recreational pot and around 80% favor medical marijuana. Weiser, Mason and Reuter lauded the local, state and federal partnership that they said was key to bringing down the organization and helping curb the ongoing increase in fentanyl trafficking and overdose deaths, which have risen sharply in the past few years in Colorado. If there is a huge markup, the vast majority of buyers are still going to turn to the black market because they're just like, "No, I'm not willing to pay twice as much to get weed from a dispensary.". Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Denver DEAs Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Strike Force led the investigation in partnership with Arvada police.
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