12 arrested in early morning Colorado raids

DENVER (AP) - A U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives official says a dozen people have been arrested in a series of early morning raids in Colorado.

ATF Special Agent in Charge David Booth says 19 search warrants were executed Thursday in the Denver and Colorado Springs areas and in Weld County.

He says some of the people arrested have ties to motorcycle gangs.

Authorities released no other details about the reason for the raids or those in custody. Booth said the arrests come after an investigation that began in June.

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann says initial charges will be filed in state court under Colorado's Organized Crime Control Act, a law used to prosecute criminal conspiracy enterprises.

12:30 p.m.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says it has executed arrest and search warrants throughout the Denver area as part of an unspecified operation.

ATF spokesman Matthew Deasaro says the agency was helped by local law enforcement Thursday, but he would not discuss the details of who is being targeted.

More details were expected to be released at a press conference planned for 1 p.m.

A man who lives in an apartment building near one of the locations tells The Denver Post he awoke just after 4 a.m. to the sound of explosions. Greg Cohen says he saw armed agents in the street who told residents through a loudspeaker to stay in their homes.