A four-month investigation by the Southern Colorado Drug Task Force has led to the dismantling of a drug organization that was handling up to $2 million of methamphetamine a month, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
The organization, composed entirely of illegal immigrants, according to the drug task force, was smuggling in 40 pounds of meth each month, with a wholesale value of $800,000 and a street value of $2 million. The drugs were being imported from Arizona and California.
Using a number of court-authorized phone wiretaps, investigators began arresting suspects, including Alonso Verdugo, apprehended in Grand Junction on March 25. Agents said they seized 8 pounds of meth in his possession.
A search warrant in Colorado Springs led to the arrest of Cesar Olivas-Cervantes and the seizure of 10 pounds of meth, two handguns and $41,000 in cash, the task force said.
On April 14, agents in Colorado Springs arrested Jorge Alejandro Rios-Ruiz and confiscated a pound of meth and $23,600 in cash. Both Olivas-Cervantes and Rios-Ruiz are being held in the El Paso Criminal Justice Center.
On April 18, members of the Larimer County Drug Task Force arrested eight people for suspected distribution of meth and confiscated about 4 pounds of meth, $16,470 in cash and 15 firearms, including several assault rifles.
Raids were conducted in Greeley, Fort Collins and Aurora. Arrested were Salvador Suarez, 27, of Greeley; Jose Suarez Jr., 27, of Fort Collins; Jose Suarez -Negrete, 59, of Fort Collins; Alejandro Gonzalez, 21, of Aurora; Leticia Suarez, 32, of Fort Collins; Abel Ignacio Gonzalez-Suarez, 28, of Greeley; Rafael Trujillo Marin Jr., 21, of Greeley; and Pedro Magana, 40, of Greeley.
