Suspicious Travel Leads To DEA Seizure Of 670,000 Fake Pills In Colorado & New Mexico

COLORADO SPRINGS - An incoming tip based on the premise of "see something, say something" leads to the seizure of approximately 670,000 fentanyl pills in Colorado and New Mexico.

Earlier this month, a tip out of Albuquerque led to the arrest of a man in Colorado Springs, suspected of transporting approximately 340,000 fentanyl pills. The tip also led to the seizure of approximately 330,000 fentanyl pills at an Albuquerque transportation hub.

"The number of fentanyl pills seized in this case is almost enough to give every resident in the city of Denver one fake pill," said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen.

"Removing fentanyl from our community continues to be a matter of life and death. Fentanyl is an epidemic that has deep effect in communities across our country and claims innocent lives daily," said Police Chief Adrian Vasquez of the Colorado Springs Police Department. "Seizures of this size are only possible with the collaborative work with our partner agencies on the DEA Task Force and community members who are courageous enough to do something about it."

"I am proud of the collaborative efforts between my Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration Rocky Mountain Field Division, and the Colorado Springs Police Department. Our partnership has allowed for a streamlined approach to stopping fentanyl and other dangerous drugs from getting into the hands of those most vulnerable, including children, and reducing victims in our community," said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal.

A concerned citizen reported two suspicious men who were traveling by bus to Denver. The men became nervous and one fled - but left behind two large suitcases. The Albuquerque Police Department responded and seized the two abandoned suitcases. A search warrant for the suitcases resulted in the seizure of approximately 330,000 fake pills and two ounces of heroin.

The second man continued on the Denver-bound bus with his two suitcases. The DEA office in Colorado Springs was contacted and later detained the second man in Colorado Springs and seized his two large suitcases and backpack. A Colorado Springs Police Department K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics on all three items. A search warrant for the suitcases and backpack resulted in the seizure of approximately 340,000 fake pills and several thousand dollars in cash.

"This is a prime example of see something, say something," DEA's Pullen said. "As a result, 670,000 fake pills are now off the streets of Colorado and New Mexico."

The suspect in custody was later identified as a fugitive Denver resident, wanted on outstanding drug trafficking warrants.

"The 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office is grateful for the dedicated efforts of our law enforcement agencies as they work to clear drugs off the streets and for their partnership in holding offenders accountable," said District Attorney Michael Allen. "The deadly impact of fentanyl is a clear threat to our community and this incident makes plain our steadfast resolve to hold fentanyl death-dealers accountable."

The 670,000 fake pills seized represents approximately 25% - one-quarter - of total pill seizures in Colorado in all of 2023 (2.61 million seized).

No further information can be released at this time, as this is an on-going investigation.