News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2005

Denver-Mexico Meth “Ice” Connection Affirmed
Dea Arrests Two Mexican Nationals with Six Pounds of “Ice”

Meth, as shown in this photo, was confiscated in the raid

(Denver) – Today, Jeffrey D. Sweetin, Special Agent in Charge, Rocky Mountain Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Bill Leone, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado announced the arrest of two Mexican nationals in Denver, Colorado and the seizure of six pounds of methamphetamine “ice”.

Juan Pedro Mendez and Samuel Sarmiento-Gonzalez were arrested last night for Distribution of Methamphetamine and Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, (violations of United States Code Title 21 841 (a)(1), (b)(1)A) and 846), by Special Agents of the DEA Financial Investigation Group (FIG) in Denver, Colorado. Mendez and Sarmiento-Gonzalez attempted to sell six pounds of high quality methamphetamine known on the street as “ice”, for $54,000.00 at a local Denver grocery store parking lot.

The methamphetamine was packaged in one pound increments and contained in clear Ziploc bags. The methamphetamine seized was crystalline and resembles shards of glass giving it its street name, “ice”. DEA laboratories classify methamphetamine as “ice” when the purity is 90% or better.

Meth, also known as on the street as 'ice' confiscated in the raid.

Mendez, 31 years old, resides in Denver and is a citizen of Durango, Mexico. Sarmiento-Gonzalez, 36 years old, doesn’t claim a permanent residence other than a van in Pueblo, Colorado and is a citizen of Zacatecas, Mexico.

“ DEA took over 400,000 dosage units of methamphetamine off the streets of Denver last night. This seizure and arrests further demonstrates the Mexican meth connection and its impact on the Colorado community.”, stated Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey D. Sweetin. “As we hear more and more about the ills of methamphetamine it is important to realize that our biggest methamphetamine threat comes from super laboratories in Mexico. The American public is having an impact on “homegrown” manufactures of meth through regulation of precursor chemicals like psuedoephedrine and public awareness. We need to continue to be as vigilant with our national borders as we are as with our county lines.”

The charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty. For more information please contact DEA Special Agent Karen Flowers at (303) 705-7351 or U.S. Attorney’s Office Public Affairs Officer Jeffrey Dorschner at (303) 454-0243