Embargoed until 11 a.m. MDT on Monday, Aug.

24
PRESS RELEASE
Colorado Department of Law
Attorney General John W. Suthers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 24, 2009

CONTACT
Mike Saccone, Communications Director
303-866-5632

ATTORNEY GENERAL, ADAMS COUNTY DA, NORTH METRO TASK FORCE

ANNOUNCE TAKE-DOWN OF 41-PERSON METHAMPHETAMINE RING

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, 17th Judicial District Attorney Don Quick
and the North Metro Task Force announced today that they have dismantled a massive
methamphetamine ring comprised of 41 suspects, including 19 suspected of violating the
Colorado Organized Crime Control Act. The Statewide Grand Jury handed down the recently
unsealed indictment last week.

“The dismantling of this methamphetamine ring is a significant victory for the people of
Colorado,” Suthers said. “Methamphetamine fuels a great deal of crime in Colorado, including
roughly two-thirds of the identity thefts in the state. The efforts of the North Metro Task Force,
my office, the Adams County District Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies
should send a message that we will do whatever is necessary to disrupt the supply of
methamphetamine in Colorado.”

According to the indictment, the ring brought multiple-pound quantities of methamphetamine

into Colorado every week to distribute throughout the Denver metro area. These quantities
represent as much as 100,000 doses per month. The organization used a complex system to run
the drugs throughout the city and collect drug money throughout the day.

The North Metro Task Force led the investigation into the methamphetamine ring in collaboration
from the West Metro Task Force and with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration. The suspects will be prosecuted in Adams County District Court by attorneys
from the Office of the Attorney General and the Adams County District Attorney’s Office.

“The public was well served by the cooperation among federal, state and local agencies. The
success of the investigation was solely based on the use of combined resources. All involved
should be commended.” Quick said. “Methamphetamine production and use continues to be a
problem. But the arrests such as these make a significant impact on local distribution.”

“These arrests will significantly reduce the amount of methamphetamine in the metro area by
taking out this drug trafficking organization,” said Broomfield Police Chief Thomas C. Deland,
who also serves as president of the North Metro Task Force’s governing board. “Our efforts in
this case also will increase safety for all citizens by limiting the amount of methamphetamine
available to those who use it and commit crimes to support this deadly habit.”

The charges in the indictment are allegations. Each defendant should be presumed innocent until
proven guilty.