Major Drug-Trafficking Bust Nets 28 Arrests
DENVER (CBS4) - A major drug-trafficking bust netted 28 arrests in the metro area Friday morning, the result of a two-year-long investigation into increased meth production in homes across the city.
Twelve suspects are still wanted.
At an Adams County home Friday morning, law enforcement smashed into a home, leaving behind destroyed windows and barred doors. Neighbors said they heard multiple bangs before seeing SWAT teams enter the house.
"We know they were gangsters," neighbor Brenda Rangeo said. "But we never talked to them."
More than 300 agents from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and state and local agencies, fanned across the metro area during the busts.
The Department of Justice said the arrests helped dismantle two crime organizations operating out of Colorado, and will take guns and drugs off the streets. Agents say the organizations were distributing meth, cocaine, crack, heroin, ecstasy and marijuana.
These suspects are allegedly part of the Gangster Disciples and the Gonzalez-Cepeva/Quintero groups. One has ties to the dangerous gang known as the 211 crew.
"What we have is a full-service drug operation -- almost any kind of drug someone might desire. These organizations were in the practice of acquiring and selling. That's the kind of organization we want to target," John Walsh, a U.S. attorney for the district of Colorado, said.