Federal agents in Colorado seized 1,115 pounds (505 kg) of meth and indicted 15 people after a two-year investigation. Eleven suspects have been arrested while four, including the alleged leader, are believed to be in Mexico. Most of the drugs were hidden in boxes of pear squash imported from Mexico and found in Lakewood; another stash was taken from a Greyhound bus in Vail. Authorities say the haul represents millions of doses and described the disruption as a critical break in a drug supply chain.
1,115 Pounds of Meth Seized in Colorado; 15 Indicted in Probe Tied to Mexican Cartels
Federal agents in Colorado seized 1,115 pounds (505 kg) of meth and indicted 15 people after a two-year investigation. Eleven suspects have been arrested while four, including the alleged leader, are believed to be in Mexico. Most of the drugs were hidden in boxes of pear squash imported from Mexico and found in Lakewood; another stash was taken from a Greyhound bus in Vail. Authorities say the haul represents millions of doses and described the disruption as a critical break in a drug supply chain.
08:00 AM, 11/20/2025Security
Federal law enforcement officials announced that a two-year investigation disrupted a drug trafficking organization linked to Mexico after authorities seized a total of 1,115 pounds (505 kg) of methamphetamine and returned indictments against 15 people.
Key discoveries
Most of the meth — the equivalent of millions of individual doses, according to an arrest affidavit — was found hidden inside the corners of boxes of pear squash recently imported from Mexico. The shipment was discovered on a property in Lakewood, a Denver suburb, in April.
Separately, nearly 100 pounds (about 45 kg) were seized from a Greyhound bus that passed through Vail in December. Investigators obtained a warrant to track a cellphone believed to be used by a suspected dealer and were waiting to inspect the bus when it arrived in the ski town. Authorities said the shipment was destined for the Denver area.
Arrests and international ties
Eleven people have been arrested in connection with the probe. Four others, including the organization’s alleged leader, remain at large and are believed to be in Mexico, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Colorado said.
Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Dave Olesky said the investigation uncovered connections "to elements in Mexico involving the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels." Those groups were among several Latin American criminal organizations recently designated by the U.S. government as foreign terrorist organizations.
"This is one supply chain that needed to be broken," said Marv Massey, acting FBI special agent in charge.
The indictments and seizures reflect a coordinated effort by federal investigators to disrupt large-scale trafficking routes and concealment methods, including the use of legitimate cargo shipments. Prosecutors and investigators said the case remains active as they seek those still believed to be in Mexico and pursue related leads.