YOUR AD HERE »

Seizure of 200,000 fentanyl pills declared one of largest ever in Colorado

Eight people indicted in alleged drug smuggling and trafficking organization, state and local authorities announce

Ryan Biller
The Denver Post
Brian Besser, left, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Denver field office, and 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner discuss a fentanyl seizure at a news conference in Centennial on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.
Ryan Biller/The Denver Post

CENTENNIAL — State and federal authorities confiscated 200,000 fentanyl pills, 9.4 pounds of heroin, a kilogram of cocaine and multiple firearms in an operation they say culminated in one of the largest seizures of fentanyl pills in Colorado history.

The Drug Enforcement Agency and the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced the bust Wednesday in Centennial, saying eight people have been indicted on allegations they were smugglers and distributors in a drug trafficking organization that focused on methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid.

The case involves a wiretap investigation that began in December and also netted $60,000 in stolen merchandise. The four weapons seized included an AR-15-style rifle and a 9 mm handgun, authorities said.



At the news conference, officials also highlighted the Colorado State Patrol’s recovery last month of 114 pounds of pure fentanyl on Interstate 70 near Georgetown from a vehicle headed toward Denver.

“In my opinion, bulk fentanyl quantities like this hold the caliber of weapons of mass destruction-type concern when we take into consideration the worst possible outcomes of this poison being pushed out in mass to our communities,” said Brian Besser, the special agent in charge of the DEA’s Denver Field Division. “The availability and accessibility of fake pills (laced with fentanyl) right now is absolutely staggering. They are available everywhere and can be obtained with little effort.”



Read more at DeverPost.com.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live.

Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire.

If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do.