United States Drug Enforcement Administration

AURORA, Colo. - After more than a year-long investigation 10 alleged members of a drug-dealing ring are in custody. They now face felony charges in Arapahoe District Court ranging from organized crime conspiracy and racketeering to distribution, and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.

This investigation was led by the Denver OCDETF Strike Force Group, and involved wiretaps, surveillance and undercover operations. It identified several individuals suspected of distributing cocaine and methamphetamine in Denver and Aurora at multiple locations, including bars, food trucks, and other street-level dealers.

The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, working with the DEA, presented evidence to a grand jury, and indictments were handed down at the end of last month.

Earlier this month, more than 30 law enforcement officers converged on separate locations to serve court-ordered search warrants, including SWAT teams and investigators from the Aurora Police Department and Denver Police Department who assisted the DEA and District Attorney’s Office investigation.  Representatives of West Metro Drug Task Force, Northern Colorado Drug Task Force, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Attorney General's Office, U.S. Marshal Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation,  Homeland Security Investigations and Internal Revenue (criminal investigations) also assisted.

Those arrested were:

• Hugo Ruiz-Hernandez, 52, of Aurora, who faces racketeering and conspiracy charges under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, a count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute;
• Alberto Morales-Ramirez, 39, of Aurora, who faces racketeering and conspiracy charges under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, 10 counts of distributing a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance;
•  Jose Gama-Barron, 37, of Aurora who faces racketeering and conspiracy charges under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, five counts of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and four counts of distribution of a controlled substance;
• Nayeli Madrigal-Estrada, 28, of Denver who faces racketeering and conspiracy charges under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act,  two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, six counts of conspiracy to distribute and four counts of distribution of a controlled substance;
• Ciriaco Arellano-Rebollar, 28, of Denver who faces racketeering and conspiracy charges under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, two counts of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of distribution of a controlled substance;
• Oscar Fierro, 36, of Arvada is charged with distribution of a controlled substance and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance;
• Armando Arellano-Rebollar, 23, of Aurora is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and two counts of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance;
• Raul Arellano-Rebollar, 25, of Denver is charged with one count of distribution of a controlled substance and two counts of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance;
• Rafael Barrios-Martinez,36 is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of distribution of a controlled substance;
• and Juan Chevere-Chevere, 31, of Aurora who is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.