Colorado Taco Cart Had Meth on Menu
Denver will be down a food truck after a taco cart operator, along with 16 others, were busted for selling methamphetamine in an international operation.
Federal and local authorities worked together on the investigation, dubbed "Operation Cargo", for five weeks before busting 17 people and seizing 55 pounds of meth, according to a report from The Washington Post.
Operation Cargo is believed to be one of the largest meth busts in Colorado history. Taco cart customers who knew special code words, like "six pack" or "yellow cups" could buy meth out of the cart.
"After conducting five wiretaps over five weeks, fifty-five pounds of meth was taken off the streets," said Attorney General John Suthers. "The brazenness of this ring was astounding. For example, customers could literally walk up to a food truck and order a side of meth with their taco."
The indictment claims that 37-year-old Juan Carlos Gonzalez coordinated with others to import meth and cocaine from Mexico, through California and into Colorado. Upon delivery, Gonzalez would distribute the drugs to two of his aunts and others in the operation to sell in the taco cart.
Maria Arellano allegedly is the one who ran the taco cart. Gonzales ran the operation from his car, organizing delivery, distribution and money laundering.
The feds also seized guns and money during the investigation, said Barbara Roach, special agent in charge of this case with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Authorities followed suspects during the investigation and were led to stash houses and a storage unit containing drugs.
The indictment carries 64 charges, including conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, distribution of controlled substance, money laundering and tax evasion, among other charges.
All but two of the 17 indicted on various charges are in custody, the Denver Post reported.
"Today's arrests represent the final dismantlement of the apex of this organized trans-national criminal activity operating in Colorado," Roach said.
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