News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2004
For more information contact:
Daniel Reuter (303) 705-7384

DEA/Boulder County Drug Task Force Announce
"OPERATION FLYTRAP"

SEP 16 -- Boulder -- Today, Jeffrey D. Sweetin, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Rocky Mountain Division along with Joe Pelle, Boulder County Sheriff; Mark Beckner, Boulder Police Chief; John Suthers, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado; Mary Keenan, 20th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Paul Schultz, Lafayette Police Chief; Bruce Goodman, Louisville Police Chief; Leo Carrillo, interim Chief, and Steve Hasler, former Erie Police Chief; and Jim Fadenrecht, University of Colorado Chief of Police; announced that forty-nine (49) people have been arrested for their involvement in the distribution of crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, PCP(Phencyclidine), MDMA(Ecstasy), and marijuana in Boulder County, Colorado.

Operation Flytrap started in January of 2004 when Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, on behalf of the Boulder County Drug Task Force Executive Board, contacted DEA’s Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) to request assistance. DEA’s MET Team coordinated with the Boulder County Drug Task Force (BCDTF), and began targeting drug distribution organizations operating in Boulder County in early February. Agencies that participated in the operation included: Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Boulder Police Department, Lafayette Police Department, Louisville Police Department, Erie Police Department, University of Colorado Police Department, Denver Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, West Metro Drug Task Force, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Boulder County Drug Task Force.

From June through September 2004, a federal grand jury returned indictments charging twenty-three (23) defendants with various offenses including conspiracy to distribute, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute; crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and crystal methamphetamine. Another federal defendant was charged with violating his supervised release. Twenty-five (25) other defendants are being charged locally by the Colorado 20th Judicial District Office of the District Attorney.

"The DEA Mobile Enforcement Team developed an outstanding working relationship with the Boulder County Drug Task Force during this investigation. The citizens of Boulder County enjoy a great quality of life and by law enforcement working together within the community to rid it of illegal drugs, we can keep it that way," said Special Agent in Charge Sweetin. "Investigations like this one help disrupt and dismantle illegal drug distribution organizations and help reduce violence and violent crimes that are associated with the drug trade and addiction here in Boulder."

During the course of the seven-month investigation, the DEA Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) along with the Boulder County Drug Task Force (BCDTF) executed 15 search warrants at locations throughout the area. Over three and a half kilograms (3,600 gross grams) of cocaine, 134 gross grams of crack cocaine, a pound and a half (685 gross grams) of crystal methamphetamine, 40 grams of heroin, 50 pounds of marijuana, 27 grams of PCP (Phencyclidine), 10 gross grams of MDMA (Ecstasy), one operating methamphetamine lab, and two indoor marijuana cultivation operations have been purchased and/or seized.

The investigation also resulted in the seizure of twenty-five (25) guns, including six (6) assault rifles; twenty-one (21) vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors, and trailers; and $1.6 million in U.S. currency that are suspected to be illegal drug proceeds acquired or used to facilitate illegal drug operations. All items seized are currently pending federal forfeiture proceedings.

The DEA Mobile Enforcement Team has been working in Boulder County since it initiated Operation Flytrap in February 2004 and has provided an added boost of both personnel and resources for the Boulder County Drug Task Force to enhance drug enforcement operations in the area.

United States Attorney John Suthers praised local authorities in Boulder for taking the initiative in addressing a growing drug problem. “By seeking the assistance of DEA’s Mobile Enforcement Team, local authorities were able to learn a great deal about the nature and extent of the drug problem in Boulder County,” United States Attorney John Suthers said. “By working together, the agencies were successful in removing over 50 drug dealers from the streets of the communities in the county.”

Those indicted by federal grand jury are:

Possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine carries a penalty of not more than 20 years in federal prison. Possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, and Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of crack cocaine carries a penalty of not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison. Possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 5 grams or more of crack cocaine carries a penalty of not less than 5 years and not more than 40 years in federal prison. Possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carries a penalty of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison. Manufacturing or growing over 50 plants of marijuana, carries a penalty of up to 40 years in federal prison.

Those being charged by the Colorado 20th Judicial District DA’s Office are:

CAMACHO-CEJA, Carlos; age 33, charged with distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (2 counts); possession of a controlled substance (2 counts); special offender.

DODGE, Kevin, age 36, of Louisville, charged with manufacturing a schedule II controlled substance; possession of chemicals or supplies to manufacture a schedule II controlled substance; conspiracy; special offender.

GARCIA-SANCHEZ, Casimiro; age 30, of Brighton, distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (3 counts); possession of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (3 counts); conspiracy (3 counts); child abuse (2 counts).

JACOBS, Tarene; age 38, of Louisville, charged with distribution of a schedule II controlled substance; distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (6 counts); possession of a schedule II controlled substance; possession of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (5 counts); conspiracy; special offender (2 counts).

LASTIRI-GONZALES, Jose; age 51, of Boulder, charged with distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance; conspiracy.

LEBIAN, Adrian; age 37, of Northglenn, charged with distribution of a schedule II controlled substance (3 counts); distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (3 counts); conspiracy.

LEMUS, Jose Luis; age 25, of Boulder, charged with distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (4 counts); distribution of a schedule II controlled substance (2 counts); possession of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to distribute 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance; conspiracy.

LONGORIA-GONZALES; Manuel, age 29, of Boulder, charged with distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance; distribution of a schedule II controlled substance; possession of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance, conspiracy.

MONDRAGON, Mario; age 25, of Boulder, arrested on a warrant for distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance.

PANIAGUA-CARDOZA, Clara; age 27, of Brighton, charged with distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (2 counts); possession of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (2 counts); conspiracy; child abuse (2 counts).

PEREIRO-QUINTERO, Ricardo; age 24, of Denver, arrested for distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance; conspiracy.

PERKINS, Elizabeth; age 55, of Boulder County, charged with cultivation of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession of marijuana - 8 ounces or more; theft of $500.00 or more but less than $15,000.00; special offender.

PERKINS, Lewis; age 58, of Boulder County, charged with cultivation of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession of marijuana - 8 ounces or more; theft of $500.00 or more but less than $15,000.00; special offender.

RAMIREZ, Arturo Zavala; age 18, of Boulder, arrested for possession with intent to distribute a schedule II controlled substance; conspiracy.

RIVAS-DELGADO, Geovanni; age 32, of Lafayette, charged with distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance; possession of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance; conspiracy; special offender.

RODRIGUEZ-GOMEZ, Oscar; age 23, of Denver, charged with distribution of a schedule II controlled substance; distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (2 counts); possession of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (2 counts); possession with intent to distribute 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (2 counts); conspiracy.

ROY, Mandy; age 23, of Denver, charged with distribution of a schedule II controlled substance; distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (3 counts).

SAMANIEGO, Andres; age 28, of Boulder, arrested on a warrant for distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance.

SANCHEZ, Juan Leonardo Flores; age 25, of Denver, charged with distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (2 counts); possession of a schedule II controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or distribute 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance; conspiracy.

SANDOVAL, Alisa; age 40, of Lafayette, charged distribution of a schedule II controlled substance (5 counts); distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (4 counts); conspiracy (3 counts).

SMITH, Mark; age 42, of Thornton, charged with distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (5 counts); possession with intent to distribute 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance; special offender; conspiracy.

SPEARS, Marcella Jean; age 18, previously of Boulder, arrested on a warrant for manufacturing a schedule II controlled substance; conspiracy.

STABILE, Brian; age 28, of Boulder, charged with distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance; possession of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance.

TERRANOVA, Julie; age 35, of Louisville, charged with manufacturing a schedule II controlled substance; possession of chemicals or supplies to manufacture a schedule II controlled substance; special offender; conspiracy.

TRUAX, Kristyne; age 46, previously of Boulder, currently of Lafayette, charged with distribution of 25-450 grams of a schedule II controlled substance (3 counts); distribution of a schedule II controlled substance; possession of a schedule II controlled substance; conspiracy.

The charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. For further information, contact the Rocky Mountain Division DEA Public Information Officer Daniel Reuter at (303) 434-3935 or Boulder County Drug Task Force Commander, Lieutenant Steve Prentup at (303) 441-1690.