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Release [print friendly page] DEA Takes Part In Major Gang Round-Up In Denver APR 27 -- (DENVER) – Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Jeffrey D. Sweetin announced today that a federal grand jury in Denver has returned numerous indictments charging over 50 people with crack cocaine, cocaine distribution, money laundering and firearm related charges. The charges stem from an 18 month investigation into the alleged drug distribution activity of the Rolling 30s Crips and the Tre Tre Crips, and their associates. Of the those indicted, 49 were arrested today, as part of one of the largest law enforcement operations in the history of Metro Denver. Four defendants were previously in state custody. More than 450 local and state police officers, deputy sheriffs, and federal agents, with support from 12 SWAT teams, participated in the operation. According to SAC Sweetin, during the course of the investigation, prior to today, 85 kilograms of cocaine, 2 kilograms of crack cocaine, 2.5 kilograms of marijuana, 23 guns, 3 vehicles, and over $1,440,000 in cash have been seized. Agents and officers also executed an additional 39 search warrants this morning, seizing numerous weapons, including assault weapons, hand guns, ammunition, boxes of cash, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy. The BATF has seized an additional 19 guns as part of this investigation. Over 32 firearms, ammunition and more than $100,000 was seized today. The federal grand jury in Denver returned five separate indictments alleging crack cocaine and cocaine distribution, and money laundering. In addition, the grand jury returned other indictments charging individual defendants with violations of federal law. The first indictment charges 24 defendants, including main defendant COURTNEY MCCOY, age 28, of Denver, as well as MARVIN BRAGG, age 29, of Aurora, EDGAR DIAZ-CALDERON, age 28, of Denver, and RUSTY MARTINEZ, age 20, of Westminster. The second indictment charges 4 defendants, including main defendant DANTE BUTLER, age 32, of Aurora. The third indictment charges 16 people, including main defendant ALEJANDRO CAMACHO-LEVARIO, age 33, of Denver, and LUIS CAMACHO-LEVARIO, age 28, of Denver. The fourth indictment charges 9 defendants, and includes main defendant VERNON EDWARDS, age 29, of Aurora, BRIAN HICKS, age 28, of Denver, and MALCOLM WATSON, age 31, of Denver. The fifth indictment charges 14 defendants, including main defendant BAYLIN KYLE, age 26, of Denver, and CHARLES LITTLEJOHN, age 44, of Denver. Nine of the defendants are charged in two different indictments. "This is another example in a series of successful enforcement activities targeting violent criminal organizations that have a significant community impact in the Denver metro area,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Sweetin. “As a result of this enforcement action, the citizens of Colorado can be confident that they are safer tonight.” “Thanks to the largest combined law-enforcement operation in Colorado history, a time of reckoning is finally at hand for members and associates of two of Denver's most notorious street gangs,” said U.S. Attorney Troy Eid. “Today's gang takedown - made possible by the courage and unprecedented coordination of the hundreds of federal, state and local law enforcement officers involved - has made Greater Denver a safer place. Actions speak louder than words, and this enforcement action shows that disrupting and dismantling gang violence is a top priority of the U.S. Department of Justice.” This case was investigated federally by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF), and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and well as numerous state and local law enforcment agencies. The defendants face a variety of charges, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine. If convicted, depending on the charges, defendants face anywhere from not more than 4 years in federal prison, to not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison. |
