News
Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2006
DEA
Makes Record Heroin Seizure
Seven
Defendants Indicted In Largest Seizure In Recent Colorado History
AUG 22 --
DENVER, CO – Jeffrey D. Sweetin, Special Agent in Charge of the
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Rocky Mountain Division and Troy
A. Eid, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, announced
that five (5) people have been arrested in Colorado today as part of
a nationwide take down of a major black tar heroin distribution organization.
Today’s arrests stem from an indictment returned by a federal
grand jury in Denver on August 7, 2006.
“This notorious
Denver-based Mexican heroin trafficking organization was distributing
high-purity Mexican heroin in the Denver community and to other U.S.
cities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Sweetin. “The
simultaneous arrests across the U.S. will significantly impact the
organization's ability to traffic heroin.”
During the course
of the nine-month investigation, DEA agents and task force officers
seized over seven pounds of heroin, as well as $26,473 in cash. During
today’s early morning raids, agents and officers discovered an
additional ½ pound of heroin, approximately $10,000 in cash,
and two hand guns. The seven pound heroin seizure, which took place
on July 31, 2006 in Adams County, is thought to be one of the largest
in recent Colorado history.
The multi-state
investigation, called “Operation Black Gold Rush,” included
arrests in 14 U.S. cities and charges in eight federal judicial districts,
along with state and local charges. More than 17 kilograms of black
tar heroin – a potent form of heroin that is dark and sticky
in appearance -- were also seized in the operation. In addition to
Colorado, arrests occurred today in Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, North
Carolina and South Carolina.
Arrested today
based on the indictment were:
ULISES
CASTRO-CARCIA
aka Carlos Stevens and Raul Madrigal
MARCO ANTONIO
MEZA GARCIA
aka “Toro”
FERNANDO
CAMACHO-ZUNIGA
Those who have
yet been apprehended and are considered fugitives include:
ROSE GABIE
HERNANDEZ
aka “Maria Hernandez”
MARLENE
COSIO-ARENAS
RICARDO
CHAVARIN-GARCIA
EDGAR ARTURO
ESTRADA-LOPEZ
DEA agents and
task force officers made three additional probable cause arrests.
The indictment
charges all defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute
more than one kilogram of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance,
which carries a penalty of not less than 10 years, and up to life in
federal prison, as well as a $4,000,000 fine. Some of the defendants
named in the indictment are also charged with possession with intent
to distribute heroin, and knowingly using a communications facility
(telephone) to facilitate heroin trafficking. Two defendants are also
charged with knowingly traveling in interstate/foreign commerce with
intent to promote a business enterprise involving the distribution
of heroin.
“Targeting
large scale drug traffickers is a top priority of the Department of
Justice,” said Troy Eid, United States Attorney. “Enforcement
actions, such as the one this morning, remove dangerous drugs from
our streets, making our cities safer. I want to thank the DEA and the
other state and local law enforcement agencies for their hard work
in removing large amounts of heroin from our communities.”
The case was investigated
by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with substantial assistance
from the Federal Heights Police Department, the Arvada Police Department,
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Westminster Police
Department, and the South Metro Drug Task Force. The Denver Police
Department, Northglenn Police Department, and the Colorado State Patrol
(CSP) also provided assistance during the investigation.
The case is being
prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jaime A. Pena.
These charges are
only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and
until proven guilty.
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