13 arrested, 2 wanted in northern Colorado drug trafficking bust

Heather Willard
·4 min read
2

DENVER (KDVR) — A northern Colorado task force arrested 13 people accused of distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine throughout the state as part of a drug trafficking organization.

Northern Colorado Drug Task Force detectives working on “Operation Pin Drop” identified a regional network of suspects that the task force alleges are affiliated with international drug cartels, including the Sinaloa cartel, according to a Tuesday release from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.

“I am so proud of everyone who worked tirelessly to bring this investigation to a positive conclusion. Any reduction of Fentanyl that is coming into our communities has the potential to save a life,” Lt. Mark Hertz, commander of the regional task force, said in a release. “The NCDTF is committed to doing our job of supply reduction, as well as partnering with those who are working towards awareness, prevention and education in our local communities as it relates to the opioid crisis.”

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Detectives conducted search warrants at 11 homes. The detectives reported seizing as evidence:

  • 8.5 pounds of fentanyl made up of 21,000 pills, fentanyl powder and fentanyl designed to look like other substances

  • 32 pounds of methamphetamine

  • 3 pounds of cocaine

  • More than $42,000 in cash allegedly associated with drug distribution

  • 28 firearms, including several classified as “dangerous weapons” or that had the serial numbers removed or altered

2 still wanted in northern Colorado drug bust

The task force is still searching for two suspects associated with the case. Lissbeth Juarez-Marquez, 24, is accused of the distribution of controlled substances (fentanyl). Jose Gil-Ochoa, 31, is facing charges of:

  • 13 counts of distribution of controlled substance – fentanyl

  • 10 counts of distribution of controlled substance (meth/heroin/ketamine/cocaine)

  • One count of special offender – controlled substance

  • Five counts of distribution of controlled substance – fentanyl

  • Three counts of distribution of controlled substance (meth/heroin/ketamine/cocaine)

  • Seven counts of counterfeit controlled substance

  • Two counts of money laundering (f3)

  • One count of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act – a pattern of racketeering

The task force also announced the identities, counts and bond amounts for suspects arrested in the case. Almost all are facing charges of racketeering, distribution of controlled substances or money laundering, but charges vary by defendant. The full list of charges can be found in the Larimer County release here.

Unless otherwise noted, all were booked into the Larimer County jail:

  • Carlos Reyes, 44, was given a $5 million cash or surety bond.

  • Oscar Astorga-Gamez, 32, was given a $740,000 cash bond.

  • Sandra Ramirez, 34, was given a $150,000 cash or surety bond and booked into the Denver County jail.

  • Juan Sandoval, 31, was given a $100,000 cash or surety bond.

  • Giovanni Castillo-Munoz, 22, was given a $50,000 cash or surety bond and was booked into the Adams County jail.

  • Luis Ramirez Rangel, 22, was given a $500,000 cash or surety bond.

  • Jose Torrez-Ordaz, 24, was given a $100,000 cash or surety bond.

  • Sarah McDougall, 39, was given a $250,000 cash or surety bond.

  • Wendy Denton, 45, was given a $1 million cash or surety bond.

  • David Roth, 48, was given a $1 million cash or surety bond.

  • Susan Stevenson, 61, was given a $500,000 cash or surety bond.

  • Jae Lee, 38, was given a $500,000 cash or surety bond.

Full charges, names and information of the Norther Colorado Drug Task Force’s investigation

The task force listed 25 agencies it thanked for assistance with the investigation.

“Operation Pin Drop is a perfect example of local and federal agencies working together to positively impact the region,” Acting Special Agent in Charge David Olesky, of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division, said in a release. “While it might feel unnerving to know the Sinaloa Cartel has a presence here, Northern Coloradans can count on our Agents from the Fort Collins Post of Duty to continue working side by side with the Detectives from the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force to stem the cartel’s influence.”

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Anyone with information about the wanted suspects’ current location is asked to contact the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force at 970-416-2560 or nocodtf.com. Tips will remain anonymous if requested. Investigators say additional charges are anticipated.

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