A major pipeline operating between Juarez, Mexico, and Brighton, Colo., is now out of service after a 10-month investigation and a major drug bust, local authorities announced Wednesday.

Federal and local drug agencies have been looking into the medium-sized operation since February, and on early Wednesday morning, agents served four warrants in the metro area.

Members of the Adams County SWAT team broke into one home at 5:30 a.m., and found one family fast asleep in their beds.

Nine members of family were arrested, charged with running the operation and supplying drugs to hundreds of local customers.

Among those in custody is a Brighton man who is the suspected leader of the drug ring, the North Metro Task Force said.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the North Metro Task Force said that among the items confiscated were 4.5 kilograms of cocaine, several pounds of marijuana, methamphetamine, Ecstasy, and a stash of weapons and money.

Some of the $30,000 in cash that detectives uncovered was counterfeit, but most of it was real, 7NEWS reported. The surprise raid shut down what investigators believe was a highly-organized operation.

"It's a relatively large operation for this small community," said DEA spokesman Dan Moore. "We've been able to corral an organization and completely remove it from the community."

During the investigation, undercover officers bought cocaine and Ecstasy and found seven children living in the homes where drugs were a part of their daily routine.

"It was almost shocking because when you go through some of that stuff, you find food. And then in the food you find the drugs," said North Metro Drug Task Force Lt. Lori Moriarty.

The children are now in protective custody.

The nine suspects face drug possession and distribution charges.