A joint federal and local law enforcement drug operation has resulted in the indictment of 17 people and the seizure of 55 pounds of methamphetamine in an alleged international drug ring that authorities say sold the drug out of a taco truck.
The Colorado Attorney General's Office announced the state grand jury indictments Monday, calling the investigation, named "Operation Cargo," one of the largest meth seizures in state history.
"The brazenness of this ring was astounding," said Attorney General John Suthers. "For example, customers could literally walk up to a food truck and order a side of meth with their taco."
The office said authorities conducted five wiretaps over five weeks. The investigation was focused in the Denver metropolitan area and specifically Adams County.
Juan Carlos Gonzalez, 37, is accused of being the leader of the ring, called the Gonzalez Drug Trafficking Organization. The indictment alleges that he ran the criminal operation from his BMW, organizing drug dealers, drug storage and money laundering.
"Gonzalez coordinated with others to primarily import meth as well as cocaine from Mexico into California for delivery into Mexico," the office said in a news release. Authorities said Gonzalez primarily used his aunts to distribute drugs.
Authorities followed those indicted over several weeks, discovering a complex array of stash houses and at least one storage unit used to allegedly peddle drugs. Maria Arellano is accused of selling meth out of her food truck near 8th Avenue and Federal Boulevard in Denver, according to court papers.
The indictment says the organization used coded language to make deals.
One man drove a Mini Cooper into Colorado with 40 pounds of meth allegedly stashed under the car's floor.
Guns and money were also seized as part of the operation, which has led to charges of Colorado Organized Crime Act violations, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, conspiracy, money laundering and tax evasion.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Metro Drug Task Force, the Adams County District Attorney's office, the Thornton Police Department and the Denver Police Department were all involved in the investigation.
Authorities say all but two of the 17 indicted have been taken into custody.
"Today's arrests represent the final dismantlement of the apex of this organized transnational criminal activity operating in Colorado," said Barbra Roach, DEA special agent in charge.
