Boulder County DA Office, Longmont police assist with 45-pound fentanyl seizure

Annie Mehl, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo.
·2 min read

Dec. 5—The Drug Enforcement Agency Rocky Mountain Division, in coordination with the Front Range Task Force, the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Homeland Security Investigations Denver Division and the special investigations unit for the Longmont Police Department on Friday seized nearly 45 pounds of a fentanyl and cocaine mixture and arrested a suspect with direct ties to the Sinaloa Cartel of Mexico.

Following the arrest of Alberto Reyes-Carrillo, the Boulder County District Attorney's Office requested his bond be set at $1 million, according to a news release from the U.S. DEA. A judge instead set it at $500,000.

"The Sinaloa Cartel is one of two primary cartels responsible for flooding the United States with dangerous and deadly fentanyl," said Brian Besser, special agent in charge of the DEA Rocky Mountain Division, in the news release. "This case is another example of how we continue to attack these networks at every level to save lives throughout the Rocky Mountain Division and beyond. This operation was a success thanks to a truly collaborative effort on the part of our local, state and federal partners."

Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the U.S. faces, the release said. It is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Just 2.2 milligrams of fentanyl — enough powder to fit on the tip of a pencil — is considered a potentially lethal dose, the release said. It is found in both powder and pill form and has been found mixed with other substances like cocaine.

Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge with HSI Denver, said fentanyl-related deaths rose by more than 70% in Colorado in 2021, the news release said.

"This poison that transnational criminal organizations increasingly smuggle into the United States is responsible for over 100,000 deaths nationwide while putting millions of dollars in the pockets of drug cartels," he said in the release. "I commend the special agents and intelligence professionals of HSI and our partners who were responsible for intercepting this dangerous shipment. Many lives were saved, and families remain intact because of their commitment to public safety."

Longmont Police Chief Jeff Satur added that 45 pounds of powdered fentanyl is an incredible seizure. He noted it will likely save lives throughout Longmont and Colorado.

"Fentanyl deaths have taken a terrible toll on families throughout Colorado and continue to surge," Satur said in the news release. "The Longmont Police (Department) is thankful to the DEA, HSI, Front Range Task Force, Boulder County District Attorney's Office and the RMHIDTA for their partnership and work in our community."

More information on fentanyl is available at dea.gov/onepill or www.dea.gov/fentanylawareness.