JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — After a months-long investigation, 16 people were indicted on 116 felony charges and $5 million worth of drugs were seized, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) said.
The nine-month long investigation began as a drug distribution case involving methamphetamine and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
Drugs, cash and weapons were seized as part of the investigation. Items seized include:
- More than 400 pounds of methamphetamine.
- 325,000 pills containing fentanyl.
- Three kilograms of cocaine.
- One pound of heroin.
- Fentanyl powder, which could equate to over 350,000 lethal fentanyl doses.
- Seventeen firearms were also seized, many of which had been reported stolen.
The estimated street value of the seized narcotics is more than $5 million.
Large drug bust made in Jefferson County
The case was presented to a grand jury by the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the grand jury returned indictments against all 16 people.
The charges against them include:
- Unlawful distribution or sale of a controlled substance
- Unlawful possession with intent to sell or distribute a controlled substance
- Possession of a weapon by a previous offender
- Criminal attempt second-degree kidnapping
- Criminal attempt aggravated motor vehicle theft
- Vehicular eluding
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- First-degree criminal trespass
- Obstructing a peace officer
According to the indictments, members of the drug trafficking organization would buy narcotics from a Mexican drug cartel before selling them in Jefferson County— and across the Denver metro area.
Ten of the 16 people are currently in custody, according to the sheriff's office.
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