DENVER - Authorities say they have dismantled two drug trafficking organizations with ties to Mexico that peddled meth, heroin, crack and other drugs in the Denver area.
Federal authorities on Friday announced indictments against 54 people. Twenty-eight people were arrested Friday. Authorities are still searching for 12 others.
A two-year investigation found links among street level dealers in Colorado and sources in Mexico.
Officers say they seized nearly 20,000 grams of methamphetamine, other drugs, 13 guns and $94,000 in cash.
U.S. Attorney John Walsh says the impact of the case remains to be seen.
Those arrested Friday include:
- Francisco Aguilar, age 38, Denver
- Shawn Beardsley, age 45, Aurora
- Travis Edwards, age 52, Aurora
- Dondrai Fisher, age 41, Aurora
- Jesus Molina-Villarreal, age 45, Aurora
- Archie Poole, age 37, Aurora
- Francisco Ramirez, age 32, Aurora
- Simeon Ramirez, age 40, Denver
- Javier Segura-Cisneros, age 27, Aurora
- Khari Smith, age 37, Aurora
- Sidney Taylor, age 48, Denver
- Christopher Vigil, age 27, Denver
- Latoya Wimbush, age 29, Aurora
- Melvin Turner, age 38, Aurora
Those indicted by not yet arrested include:
- Christopher Martinez, age 33, Aurora
- Luis Ramirez, age 25, Thornton
- Gregory Williams, age 53, Arvada
- Name Unknown, age and residence unknown
Those already in custody include:
- Ricky Kamil Garrison, age 30
- James Tillmon, age 30
- Robert Painter, age 44
In the second drug-trafficking organization, known as the "Gonzalez-Cepeva/Quintero" Drug Trafficking Organization, a federal grand jury in Denver handed down two additional indictments, unrelated to the Gangster Disciples DTO. In the Gonzalez-Cepeva/Quintero, 33 defendants were named in two separate related indictments on charges ranging from drug trafficking to engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to import various drugs from Mexico, cash smuggling, running a drug controlled premises, possession of a weapon by an illegal alien, possession of a weapon by a felon, interstate transportation in aid of racketeering, and possession of a weapon in connection with a drug trafficking crime.
The Gonzalez-Cepeva/Quintero DTO was involved in the possession with intent to distribute, and the distribution of: methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. The marijuana was allegedly imported to Colorado from California. The Gonzalez-Cepeva/Quintero DTO has individuals with ties to the "211 Crew."
Of the defendants indicted in this case, those arrested Friday include:
- Jose Castaneda-Zamora, age 38, unknown
- Noe Chavez-Gomez, age 20, unknown
- Debbi Martinez, age 24, Denver
- Rafael Quintero Gomez, age 21, unknown
- Jesus Montelongo-Talavera, age 24, Westminster
- Alberto Quintero, age 23, Aurora
- Juan Manuel Quintero, age 22, unknown
- Racquel Ramos-Sanchez, age 58, San Elizario, Texas
- Alberto Roel, age 45, Edinburg, Texas
- Robert Schaffer, age 65, Fort Collins
- Mark Singer, age 41, Colby, Kansas
- John Howard Smith, age 55, Denver
- Jessica Trejo-Huerta, age 23, Mexico
- Servando Gandara-Chavez, age 43, Denver
Those indicted by not yet arrested include:
- Jose Oceguera-Ramirez, age unknown, Mexico
- Tomas Gonzalez-Villalobos, age 43, Mexico
- Ramona Haro-Iniquez, age 44, Denver
- Marcus Marler, age 38, unknown
- Juan Montelongo, age 25, Westminster
- Sergio Salazar-Torres, age unknown, Mexico
- Raul Ramirez-Munoz, age 42, Mexico
- Hector Jesus Trejo-Huerta, age 27, Mexico
Those already in custody include:
- Antonio Gonzalez-Cepeva, age 25
- Elias Rafael Gonzalez-Cabrera, age 22
- Jesus Quintero, Jr., age 26
- Gabriel Sowell, age 38
- William Brewer, age 58
- Porfiria Alejandra Faias-Contreras, age 24
- Maria Farias-Contreras, age 23
- Jesus Quintero, Sr., age 46
- Carol Hawley, age 45
- Gina Salcido, age 42
- David Hall, age 56
(KUSA-TV © 2014 Multimedia Holdings Corporation with The Associated Press)
