The leader of an international drug-trafficking ring that funneled cocaine from Mexico into gated communities in Highlands Ranch and Greeley was sentenced Thursday to 16 years in prison.
Martin Vega-Beleta, 36, who headed an organization that brought cocaine and marijuana to the Denver area from Mexico through Arizona, was sentenced in Jefferson County District Court.
Drug Enforcement Administration agents said Denver was the distribution hub for drugs that ended up in the suburbs, Greeley and states to the north and east.
The seven-month investigation by the DEA and the West Metro Drug Task Force resulted in the seizure of more than $5 million in U.S. currency; six handguns; 13 pounds of cocaine worth $500,000; and 25 pounds of marijuana, with a street value of $8,000.
Authorities said Vega-Beleta’s ring brought 50 kilograms, or 110 pounds, of cocaine with a street value of more than $4 million into Colorado each month.
Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey said the investigation began in September 2007 with a street buy.
“The West Metro Drug Task Force and the DEA did an outstanding job,” Storey said. “With these offenders off the street, we have taken a significant step toward reducing drugs coming into our communities.”
When indictments against the organization were announced in July, Jeffrey Sweetin, DEA agent in charge of the Denver field office, said the investigation showed “there are drug pipelines, particularly cocaine pipelines, that end in our communities.”
Investigators said Vega-Beleta regularly traveled between Denver and Phoenix to facilitate the transfer of money, cocaine and marijuana to Colorado.
In Denver, middlemen purchased cocaine in kilogram amounts, then moved it on to others, who sold it in grams and ounces throughout the area.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
