ATF seizes dozens of firearms and drugs in Colorado, arrest TdA gang members in undercover operation
The Arapahoe County sheriff, along with the ATF, DEA and several other law enforcement organizations, showed off the firearms and drugs seized in an undercover operation that resulted in the arrests of dozens of suspects. Some of those suspects have been confirmed to be TdA gang members.
On Monday, the ATF displayed 69 firearms and some of the drugs seized in that operation that started 10 months ago. The undercover operation began when Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown reached out to federal agents about a spike in crime at the Ivy Crossing Apartments in Aurora.
That's where, according to undercover agents, they purchased some of the drugs and guns and agents said they even discussed a possible murder-for-hire with suspects.
A total of 30 people were arrested. Law enforcement said they are connected to the TdA gang in Venezuela.
"We have seen an impact of what true collaboration can bring. Not only through law enforcement but through the building of trust and assurance to the residents that their safety matters," said Brown.
The suspects are facing charges including federal drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and murder-for-hire.
The agencies involved include the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, Aurora Police Department, and the City of Aurora along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, and Joint Task Force Vulcan.
