Eight people are indicted by a grand jury in a Fentanyl distribution ring in Denver
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (KRDO) -- A tip about possible fentanyl trafficking led investigators to open a case in December 2021.
Over the course of several months, law enforcement spent countless hours conducting multiple drug buys and wiretap investigations.
On Wednesday, July 6, 2022, the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (DA) and DEA announced the indictment of 8 individuals involved in a large-scale fentanyl distribution operation.
“In my 31 years in law enforcement, I have never seen anything like the current drug crisis and
how it is impacting our communities,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Bryan Besser said. “The availability and accessibility of fake pills right now is staggering. They are available everywhere and anywhere. The illicit drug market is saturated.”
The DA says that the pills are likely coming from Mexico and that the Denver-Metro area is a distribution hub.
The investigation took several agencies. They included the DEA, HSI, Rocky Mountain HIDTA, Denver Police, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
“My Organized Crime Unit (OCU) is committed to investigating and aggressively prosecuting
the people who import and peddle this poison. Too often we hear about someone dying from
taking just one of these pills.” District Attorney John Kellner said. “I believe this operation saved
lives. It wouldn’t have been possible without the help from our partner agencies.”
The following individuals are facing multiple charges related to Grand Jury Case No. 21CR1:
- Carla Estefani Ramos-Vasquez
- Mercy Rosario Ramos-Mejia
- Francisco Geovanni Ramirez-Gomez
- Misael Saavedra-Figueroa
- Estefany Carolina Chavez-Minero
- Josue Obed Elvir Arteaga
- Gersen Ramos
- Oscar Diaz
The DA says that this case resulted in more than 200,000 fentanyl pills being seized along with 9.4 lbs. of heroin, a kilogram of cocaine, 4 guns, and approximately $60,000 worth of stolen merchandise.
