16 are indicted in drug ring, kidnapping investigation
Six teen indiv idual s were indicted following a months-long investigation into a Boulder County drug ring and kidnapping investigation.
According to a release, the four- month- long investigation by the Boulder County Drug Task Force, nicknamed “Operation Blue Steal,” resulted in the seizure of 30 pounds of suspected fentanyl worth about $500,000, 25 pounds of methamphetamine with a value of about $100,000, 2.5 pounds of heroin and 0.36 pounds of cocaine.
The case was presented to a grand jury by the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, and the grand jury returned indictments against 16 individuals for charges including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, narcotics distribution, attempted kidnapping, robbery and aggravated motor vehicle theft.
Ten individuals have been arrested since May 12: Javier Alejandro RoqueGomez, 27; Jose Guadalupe Polanco-perez, 27; Jose Alfonso Diego-alvarez, 19; Carlos Alfonso Ytuarte
Quinones, 35; Alexis Omar Gasga- Garcia, 23; Adan Alberto Quiriarte-jaram, 28; Alan E HernandezGuzman, 29; Jose SotoAviles, 29; Candelaria Ramirez-ibarra, 35; and Joana Villagrana- Ortiz, 34.
Officials are not naming the six individuals who have yet to be arrested.
According to an indictment, members of the drug ring would buy narcotics in the Denver area before selling them in Boulder County, including locations in Longmont and Lafayette.
Officials were able to use wiretaps and undercover operatives to get information on drug buys, burglaries and an attempted kidnapping and ransom plan.
Agencies assisting the task force with the investigation include the Boulder Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Longmont Department of Public Safety, Drug Enforcement Administration, U. S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Arvada Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Denver Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Littleton Police Department, Colorado National Guard Counter Drug Taskforce and the Westminster Police Department.