Denver In Multi-City Drug Bust
U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Drug Indictments
POSTED: 12:09 p.m. MST March 8, 2002
UPDATED: 4:20 p.m. MST March 8, 2002
The U.S. attorney's office announced the
indictment of 21 people in the Denver-area Friday on charges of
distributing marijuana, methamphetamine and cocaine throughout the
United States.
Sixteen of the defendants have been arrested and five more are
being sought, said John W. Suthers, U.S. Attorney for Colorado.
The arrests followed a multi-state investigation that lasted
more than 18 months and linked the suspects to Ramon Arellano
Felix, the alleged leader of Mexico's most powerful drug gang.
The indictment handed down by a grand jury in Denver names Mario
Oregon-Cortez as the leader of the narcotics importation and
distribution organization. He was among those arrested.
The organization is alleged to be importing 30 kilograms of
cocaine, 30 pounds methamphetamine and 200 pounds of marijuana per
month.
"Anytime you can take 21 people and make them face life
imprisonment and take $1 million worth of drugs a month off our
streets, most of it in Denver, it is a tremendous operation,"
Police Chief Gerald Whitman said. "I tip my hat to them."
Authorities said eight other people were were indicted in
Minnesota and six of them have been arrested. Four people were
arrested in San Diego.
Sixteen of the defendants have been arrested and five more are
being sought, said John W. Suthers, U.S. Attorney for Colorado.
The arrests followed a multi-state investigation that lasted
more than 18 months and linked the suspects to Ramon Arellano
Felix, the alleged leader of Mexico's most powerful drug gang.
The indictment handed down by a grand jury in Denver names Mario
Oregon-Cortez as the leader of the narcotics importation and
distribution organization. He was among those arrested.
The organization is alleged to be importing 30 kilograms of
cocaine, 30 pounds methamphetamine and 200 pounds of marijuana per
month.
"Anytime you can take 21 people and make them face life
imprisonment and take $1 million worth of drugs a month off our
streets, most of it in Denver, it is a tremendous operation,"
Police Chief Gerald Whitman said. "I tip my hat to them."
Authorities said eight other people were were indicted in
Minnesota and six of them have been arrested. Four people were
arrested in San Diego.
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
