In the early morning hours of May 30, the North Metro Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office executed eight search warrants and made arrests as part of a nine-month methamphetamine and cocaine investigation that has resulted in grand jury indictments of 45 defendants and the seizure of several pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine, numerous firearms and recovery of stolen vehicles.

The indictment remains sealed pending the arrest of the remaining

defendants. 

“The dismantling of this particularly dangerous and organized criminal group is a testimony to the strength of our multi-law enforcement partnerships in joining available detective resources for the protection of all our communities,” said Thornton Police Chief Randy Nelson.

The nine-month investigation identified a drug trafficking organization operated by several Los Primeros Padres gang members who are involved in the distribution of large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico in the north metro area of Denver.

This organization sold several pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine throughout the Denver metro area, stole motor vehicles and committed burglaries to further its criminal enterprise.

The indictment was returned May 28 by the grand jury.

Charges in the 230-count indictment include racketeering under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, conspiracy, various drug possession and distribution charges, kidnapping, robbery, burglary, theft and aggravated motor vehicle

theft.

To date, the investigation has resulted in 77 arrests, including 29 of the indicted defendants. In addition, large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, firearms, and vehicles have been seized during this investigation.

“This was a very large and dangerous drug organization,” said Adams County District Attorney Dave Young.

“The Colorado Organized Crime Control Act is designed specifically to take down criminal organizations like this. The public has a high expectation of those of us in public safety that we will pursue these criminal organizations and we have done that today. This case will have a big impact on drug operations in the 17th Judicial

District.”

North Metro Task Force is comprised of law enforcement from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Thornton, Northglenn, Westminster, Federal Heights, Commerce City, Broomfield and

Brighton.