Lizalde and Angelique Torres, who were both in the car, are facing felony drug charges. The Aurora Police Department received information about narcotics . Drug kingpins dont always touch the drugs, but they do always touch the money.. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Special Agent Garrett Croon (312) 829-1199. The same week of that large drug bust, Miller seized more . Drug dealers are now resorting to innovative methods to flood the market with fentanyl-related substances so they can have maximum appeal to unsuspecting users, Besser said. In 2021, illegal fentanyl killed 709 people in Colorado, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In an unrelated traffic stop of a vehicle headed toward Tulsa, Oklahoma, on I-70 in February, 30,000 fentanyl pills were collected. 2019 Sentinel Colorado. Search arrest records and find latests mugshots and bookings for Misdemeanors and Felonies. 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. Four Loveland men have been arrested and one more is wanted after a Northern Colorado drug investigation that seized thousands of fentanyl pills, more than 12 pounds of meth and more. The homes where the drugs were found were in Denver and Aurora. 4, Clovis PD Special Enforcement Team (S.E.T.) In the latest bust, authorities seized 170,000 fentanyl pills outside of an Aurora apartment. Inside the home, officials say they found more than 243 jars with THC oil/wax, more than 5.6 pounds . 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. 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. 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). Bulk fentanyl quantities like this hold the caliber of weapons of mass destruction-type concern, Besser said Wednesday. No one is immune from this drug crisis. Another option for Fire TV is to have the appdelivered directly to your Fire TVthrough Amazon. They pulled him over, smelled marijuana, and found the drugs and cash in the car. 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. Temperatures will be slightly cooler than where we should be for this time of year. 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. Gov. While conducting a series of arrests across Denver and Aurora Feb. 12, officials also seized large amounts of cash, cars and at least 10 guns, many of which were assault rifles, Phillips said. 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. FBI Chicago October 04, 2011. 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. The Lookout is a free, daily email newsletter with news and happenings from all over Colorado. March 11, 2022 / 7:35 PM So its often mixed with other substances, oftentimes inert substances, and then pressed into pill form to look like prescription oxycodone.. Two people got caught with an illegal psilocybin mushroom grow and other drugs in a Lyons home. Tapia-Rubio is named in the court records, among 13 other people. 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 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Gov. Federal, state and local law enforcement in Adams County announced on Friday the dismantling of a drug trafficking operation that has led to state-level indictments of 64 people, seizure of $931,000 in U.S, currency and 77,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl, along with methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. Court records indicate Tapio-Rubio operated a multi-kilogram cocaine and methamphetamine distribution network with drugs supplied from Mexico. Washington, D.C. Man Convicted After Nine-Day Trial for Use of a Firearm in Connection with a Murder and a Robbery, and for a Drug Distribution Conspiracy. 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. 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. Constantly updated. Get content and information right now for cant-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox. Denver police and firefighters responded to an apartment at 8330 Quincy Avenue for a suspected drug operation. Shes been a reporter since 2012, focused on criminal justice. illicit drug in the past year. If convicted Vallejo-Gallo could face 20 years to life in federal prison. 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. Rocky Mountain DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Besser and 18th Judicial Attorney John Kellner said they called the press conference to let people know they are not "asleep at the wheel" when it comes to drug enforcement. 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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. In 2020, drug overdose deaths were up 34% in Colorado. They then distributed the substances across the state. This represents 21.0 percent of the MSA population, which is similar to the rate . - An Aurora resident was indicted for his part in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine. ", RELATED: Denver Health Officials Warn About Increase In Deadly Overdoses Linked To Fentanyl. 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). "I hope to return to the Senate later this month," the retiring senator said in a statement. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. BOND: $2000. PHOTO BY QUINCY SNOWDON/Sentinel Colorado. AURORA, Mo. Treatment data indicate that cocaine, particularly crack, commonly is abused in Denver. 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. Ramirez posted bond on Dec. 30. Besser said he worries that fentanyl could soon be laced into vape products, which are already incredibly popular with many younger users. A bill at the state Capitol would make some of the biggest changes to the law since it was passed more than 50 years ago. The Aurora residence was on the 12100 block of Amherst Circle. The Aurora woman, Candelaria Vallejo-Gallo, who is either 41 or 42, was charged with running the primary operation. Illicit Drug Use. Five goals wasn't enough for the Avs to overcome a hot Devils offense. 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. Besser said a lot of drugs pass through Denver because of its central location, but he stressed that not everything is gloom and doom. 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. Carly McKinney's Twitter page contained half-naked photos and all kinds of chatter about marijuana, including a boast of . Police executed a search warrant at Ramirez's house located in the 20500 block of East Buchanan Drive on Dec. 29, APD said. Police found more than $18,000 in cash and more than 300 pills during a traffic stop in west suburban Aurora Tuesday night. Deputies conducting a routine traffic stop in Adams County took one person into custody after finding methamphetamine, fentanyl, and stacks of cash in the car. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Rep. Diane DeGette is pushing legislation to expand a federal program to help people pay their utility bills and still make ends meet. 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. Vallejo-Gallo was arrested at her home in Aurora on Wednesday last week and faces drug kingpin charges, Dunn said. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Scout Motors picks South Carolina for new $2B EV. Aurora only hired 17 new police officers last year. By Tony Keith. But make no mistake: In this case, my understanding is the drugs here were actually bound for Colorado. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. 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. Shelly Bradbury is the courts reporter at the Denver Post. The arrests were made by over 500 law enforcement officers, making this the largest drug bust in Denver history. Polis said the plan will build on previous efforts to bring down costs and increase transparency. Date: 3/3 12:44 am #1 failed to present . 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. Phillips called the operation a sophisticated group with numerous international and interstate ties and said it has been operating in the Denver region for several years, trafficking high volumes of drugs on a weekly basis. Now: 1 location off miss & Peoria in aurora. What do you think. "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. 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. Read More. 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. In Mexican cities, the pills can be made for roughly 4 cents each. Adams County Sheriff's Office, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, Aurora Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Commerce City . First published on March 11, 2022 / 7:35 PM. Jared Polis has endorsed the proposal to change the name of Mount Evans in a letter to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names. 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. Douglas County Sheriff Capt. 8, 2021 at 9:32 PM PDT. 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. The drugs can go for as little as $1 and are disguised in flavors like strawberry and raspberry. You have permission to edit this article. During the search, authorities uncovered approximately 8.23 pounds of heroin, 4.45 pounds of methamphetamine, and $108,000 in drug money. More than 900 people died of fentanyl overdoses in Colorado last year, according to the state health department. Example video title will go here for this video. Catherine Brooke Harrell, 28, was arrested for prostitution, felony possession of heroin and . Court records show he's been charged with the following felonies: Ramirez' next court date is scheduled for Jan. 6. In 2021, she decided to return to local news. (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. Hospitals, schools and parents are sounding the alarm on the mental health crisis across America. The Justice Department is assisting Ukraine in an investigation into war crimes committed by Russia. Greed is a traffickers main motivation. 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. So it was essentially meant to throw off anyone who might have seen that, Dunn said. It will be a mild and dry start to the weekend. In the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield MSA, an annual average of 416,000 persons aged 12 or older used any . Most opioid addicts dont seek out fentanyl due to the extremely high risk of incurring a fatal overdose, Dunn said. Angelina Maestas posted court documents on Facebook that openly accused another member of the trafficking operation with cooperating with police. Fentanyl is being mixed with heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and illegally produced marijuana. According to the 1999 and 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA), 8.9 percent of individuals age 12 and over surveyed in Colorado reported having abused an illicit drug in the month prior to the survey compared with 6.3 percent nationwide. The masked pills caused elevated concern among federal authorities, Dunn said. Powdered cocaine is abused throughout the greater metropolitan area, and crack cocaine is abused primarily in northeastern Denver and in Aurora, just outside Denver. A months-long investigation in Colorado Springs ended with the arrest of William Johns on Aug. 4. Well over 300 special agents and officers arrested 28 defendants for drug trafficking and related crimes during early morning raids. 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 Aurora residence was on the 12100 block of Amherst Circle. A Baghdad alum, she has 4 grown children and lives with her husband and her mom. 16) Arthur Moore, 68 years of age, of 712 James Drive in . The group brought drugs into Colorado from Mexico and the West Coast, authorities said. The study, the largest of its kind, compared former players against men of the same age and found that players who had concussions during their NFL careers scored worse on assessments of episodic memory, attention, processing speed and vocabulary. I have never seen anything like this in my life.. Private and rental vehicles and commercial trucks fre-quently are used to transport drugs into and through Colorado. In 2015, it killed 64 people in the state. He was in the Denver County jail as of Friday night. 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. 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. The find was part of a coordinated Aurora drug bust announced Feb. 19, 2020. If it saves one life, for me, it was worth the whole process.. 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. Douglas 1 View. Amanda Lee Summers, 31, was arrested for sell and deliver methamphetamine to law enforcement. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. When bought in bulk, fentanyl pills that used to cost $8 to $10 can now be found for just $1. On Tuesday, a local mail sorting center contacted police after co 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. for top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you. The DEA says his busts have kept 20 tons of illicit drugs off the streets . 5. On Wednesday, the department shared details on the case . 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