Federal authorities announced Wednesday that more than 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine were seized and 15 people indicted following a two-year investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating in Colorado with ties to Mexico, as reported by The New York Post.
The Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office said 11 suspects have been arrested, while four others — including the alleged leader — remain at large and are believed to be in Mexico.
Dave Olesky, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s special agent in charge, said at a news conference that investigators uncovered connections “to elements in Mexico involving the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels.”
Fifteen people charged in Colorado after over 1,000 pounds of meth seized https://t.co/sc8amFsdhz
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) November 20, 2025
Olesky did not take questions, and a DEA spokesperson declined to provide additional details.
Both cartels, which originate from their respective Mexican states, were among eight Latin American criminal organizations recently designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration.
According to an arrest affidavit, the total amount of methamphetamine seized is equivalent to millions of individual doses. Officials said most of the drugs were discovered in April on a property in Lakewood, a Denver suburb.
Investigators found 1,115 pounds (505 kilograms) of methamphetamine concealed in the corners of boxes of pear squash imported from Mexico.
Another significant seizure occurred in December, when nearly 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of methamphetamine were intercepted on a Greyhound bus passing through Vail.
Investigators had obtained a warrant to track a cellphone linked to a suspected dealer and were waiting for the bus when it arrived in the ski resort town. U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly said the shipment was headed for the Denver metropolitan area.
“This is one supply chain that needed to be broken,” said Marv Massey, acting FBI special agent in charge.
BREAKING: DEA, DOJ, FBI, local law enforcement announce largest meth bust in Colorado history. Over 1,000 lbs seized. This marks a second, record-breaking drug bust this week. Colorado has a serious Mexican drug cartel problem, in part, because of its sanctuary state policies. pic.twitter.com/brwteTUtJv
— Jeff Hunt (@jeffhunt) November 20, 2025
The investigation involved federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and targeted a distribution network believed to be responsible for transporting large amounts of methamphetamine from Mexico into Colorado.
Officials did not release the names of the four suspects still believed to be in Mexico but said efforts to locate and apprehend them are ongoing.
Court records related to the case have not yet been publicly detailed, and authorities did not disclose whether additional charges or arrests are anticipated. The seized methamphetamine will remain in federal custody pending further proceedings.
