DEA Operation Returns Drug Criminals to Authorities

10 of Colorado’s Most Notorious Drug Offenders Apprehended

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Rocky Mountain Field Division announced the successful conclusion of "Operation Return to Sender," resulting in the arrest of 10 of Colorado’s most notorious drug criminals. These individuals were subsequently transferred to immigration enforcement authorities. The operation has led to the apprehension of over 90 individuals in the past 16 days.

Venezuelan Gang Members Among Those Arrested

The DEA RMFD revealed on social media that at least three of the arrested suspects were affiliated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). The 10 individuals whose photographs were released represent some of the most severe offenders apprehended, though a DEA spokesperson acknowledged that more dangerous criminals remain among the 80-plus remaining suspects.

Deportation and Charges

The 10 suspects are currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and face imminent deportation. Not all 90 individuals arrested were undocumented citizens, and their cases are subject to ongoing investigations and cannot be discussed publicly.

The apprehended individuals face a range of serious charges, including kidnapping, fentanyl distribution, and child sexual assault. Four of those arrested were apprehended during an ICE raid on a makeshift nightclub in January.

Collaborative Law Enforcement Efforts

DEA Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen highlighted the ongoing collaboration between law enforcement agencies in safeguarding American citizens. Since President Donald Trump assumed office, law enforcement agencies have been instructed to work synergistically.

"We are collaborating in ways we never have before. We are taking the information in DEA’s tank and ICE’s tank and HSI’s tank and the FBI and are putting it all together and we are collaborating [in] ways we have never seen before in my entire career."

Trump Administration’s Focus on Illegal Immigrant Criminals

Since Trump’s inauguration, ICE raids have detained thousands of illegal aliens nationwide. The Trump administration has instructed ICE to significantly increase the number of daily arrests, from a few hundred to at least 1,200.

Conclusion

The DEA’s "Operation Return to Sender" has successfully removed 10 dangerous drug criminals from Colorado streets, with more arrests expected. The ongoing collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the focus of the Trump administration on apprehending illegal immigrant criminals have contributed to the success of the operation.