RAIDS ON DRUG RING LEAD TO NINE ARRESTS

A major cocaine-trafficking ring that allegedly operated from the Mexican
border to Brighton and distributed illegal drugs in the metro area was
busted Wednesday by federal and local authorities.

The North Metro Task Force and agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency,
Immigration and Naturalization Service and U.S. Customs raided four houses
in Adams County and arrested eight people suspected of being involved in
the operation. The arrests culminated a 10-month investigation.

A ninth man was taken into custody in Denver.

Authorities also were investigating whether one of the participants was a
former Mexican law enforcement officer because they recovered
identification cards and photos suggesting he served as a lawman at one
time, said Lt. Lori Moriarty, the task force commander.

Detectives seized more than $25,000, several weapons, nearly 7 pounds of
marijuana, about $500 worth of counterfeit money and four vehicles,
Moriarty said.

Before carrying out the raids, undercover officers and agents made 19 buys
of illegal drugs, including 4 ½ kilograms of cocaine, 116 grams of
methamphetamines and 10 ecstasy pills, authorities said.

Five children, ages 5 to 16, who were at home during the raids, were put
into protective custody.

A 1-year-old who was in one of the houses targeted by authorities was
released to family members.

Task force detectives began investigating the operation after they received
tips from nearby residents who suspected drug dealing. Informants and drug
buyers also told detectives about marijuana and cocaine purchases they made
from the alleged traffickers, Moriarty said.

Investigators traced the drug flow from Juarez, Mexico, to Brighton and the
metro area, detectives said.

SWAT teams from Adams County, Thornton and Northglenn carried out
simultaneous search warrants about 5:30 a.m. and 5:40 a.m.

Detectives and agents arrested the alleged ringleader of the trafficking,
Pedro Mendoza Ruiz, 36, and also arrested Maria Agustina Corralrojas, 32.
The two lived at 364 S. 27th Ave. in Brighton.

Officers arrested Modesto Favela Vasquez, 47, and Reinalda Gonzalez, 40, at
1201 W. Thornton Parkway in Thornton. Moriarty said investigators are
looking at whether Vasquez was a Mexican law enforcement officer.

Authorities also arrested Maria Delourdes Corrai, 37, and Noel Sanchez
Saenz, 31, at 492 N. Fifth Ave. in Brighton. The last warrant was carried
out at 7608 Weld County Road 4 in Brighton, where investigators arrested
Crisantos Victoriano Vasquez, 40, and Paulita Garza, 36.

Detectives arrested Raul Franco, 29, in Denver.

They all are being held for investigation of being in possession and
distributing controlled substances.