SOUTHERN COLORADO -- The U.S. Department of Justice said 33 people were arrested in connection with drug trafficking in which millions of dollars in drugs were seized.
Federal agents led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested 15 people late Thursday and early Friday. Two federal indictments led to eight other arrests prior to last week, and the state of Colorado arrested 10 others.
All 33 who were arrested are allegedly connected to a drug organization that transported drugs to and from Colorado Springs and attempting to sell them in both cities.
Investigators are still looking for three others who are still at-large, and most of the arrestees made their initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Denver Friday.
Investigators worked for more than 14 months, seizing more than 38 pounds of methamphetamine, most of which was 99+ percent pure. They also seized 13 kilograms of cocaine, four ounces of heroin, $506,500 in cash and other assets.
When the officers arrested the 15 suspects Thursday and Friday, they also recovered 10-12 additional pounds of meth, five guns, about $33,000 in cash and several cars. The assets seized is valued at more than $610,000.
There have also been charges of transporting illegal aliens in Arizona.
All but two of the 33 suspects will face at least 10 years in prison if found guilty. The other two will face at least five years.
The 33 suspects face charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and intent to distribute various amounts of meth.
This case was investigated by the DEA, the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Marshals Service, HIDTA, Colorado Springs Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Pueblo Police Department, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Monument Police Department, Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, Aurora Police Department, DEA – Colorado Springs, DEA – Las Vegas, and DEA – Los Angeles.
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