(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Six people are facing federal drug charges after a large-scale operation in Colorado Springs and Pueblo.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, court records show from Jan. 30, 2023, to October 2023, multiple federal and state agencies conducted nine separate undercover narcotics transactions, which resulted in seizures of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
On Jan. 30, 2024, search warrants were executed at multiple locations in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, and investigators seized more than 4 kilograms of heroin.
Federal charges were unsealed on Wednesday against five individuals for their alleged role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Three of these individuals made their initial appearance in federal court on Wednesday:
Alonso Quinonez-Velazquez
Roberto Gutierrez
Luis Saucedo-Bonilla
In addition, Adan Trevizo was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of a mixture of a substance containing a detectable amount of heroin.
“[Tuesday’s] enforcement actions involved over 150 members from Southern Colorado law enforcement agencies,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Rocky Mountain Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge David Olesky. “Fentanyl is continuing to gravely impact Southern Colorado. Collectively, Colorado law enforcement agencies are prioritizing investigative efforts to decrease the fentanyl supply and prevent fentanyl poisonings in our communities.”
Two other people charged in connection to these search warrants are fugitives, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“My Office will work with our federal partners to protect the citizens of El Paso County,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “The efforts of all involved with preventing illicit drugs from hitting our streets is nothing short of incredible.”
This investigation is conducted by the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Homeland Security Enforcement & Removal Operations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S Marshals Service, the Colorado Springs Police Department, the Pueblo Police Department, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, and Colorado State Patrol.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States.
“This is just another great example of our local law enforcement working with our federal partners to combat illicit drugs in our community,” said Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero. “The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have two task force detectives assigned to the DEA. Even though this unit is not highly publicized, they are having a positive impact on this community in reducing the distribution of illegal drugs.”
