DENVER-
Federal, state and Denver-area authorities announced Thursday they had arrested 49 people accused of money-laundering and distributing drugs and firearms, including “some of the worst of the worst.”
The arrests followed an 18-month investigation into several gangs, including the Rolling 30s Crips and the Tre Tre Crips, in the Denver area. “This is an extremely violent organization,” said Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrisey.
More than 450 local and state police officers—including 12 SWAT teams as well as some officers from Texas and New Mexico—took part in the arrests. More than $1.4 million in cash was seized as well as 74 guns. The weapons included assault rifles and handguns, and some were picked up Wednesday.
Also seized were 85 kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of crack cocaine, 2.5 kilograms of marijuana, an unspecified amount of ecstasy and three vehicles.
A grand jury had already indicted the 49, plus an additional defendant believed to be out of the country. No one was injured in the raid, which allegedly brought in kingpins to lower-level dealers. No users were detained.
“Thanks to the largest combined law-enforcement operation in Colorado history, a time of reckoning is finally at hand for members and associates of two of Denver’s most notorious street gangs. Today’s gang takedown … has made Denver a safer place,” said U.S. Atty. Troy Eid.
“The threat of violence among those who deal in illegal drugs is well known, and that threat has spilled over into the lives of innocent people. I firmly believe today’s arrests have prevented future violent crime,” said Morrisey.
Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates called the suspects “some of the worst of the worst.”
