FBI and Pueblo Police Announce $8 Million Heroin Seizure

PUEBLO, CO -- The FBI and the Pueblo Police Dept. said they seized heroin and other drugs with a street value of $8 million as part of a months-long drug investigation into a Pueblo heroin ring that operated out of two homes and an auto garage. Five Pueblo residents were arrested and charged Thursday morning with heroin possession and possession with intent to distribute.

Daniel Vasquez, 30, was the owner of the Get Your Fix automotive shop, which, agents allege, served as a one-stop pharmacy for the sale of illegal drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine. Vasquez was arrested in September, after a sting operation.

Also charged were: Rodger Bujanda, Jesus Mercado Valdez, 24; Gage Rael, 24 and Leonard Aragon, 26 after a string of arrests in Pueblo.

A total of 61 pounds of heroin, 2.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 50 grams of cocaine, and more than $500,000 in cash were impounded, according to a report by KOAA. The crew's cache also included
35 guns -- some reported stolen -- and a fully-automatic weapon.
An FBI spokesman equates the 60 pounds of heroin to 40,000 doses that will not be on the streets of Pueblo.
"This is poison. And that poison spawns violent crime," said Pueblo Police Chief Troy Davenport.

Law enforcement agencies released a photo of Vasquez holding a baggy of a white substance they alleged was methamphetamine.

Find out more at KOAA.