35 accused of shipping drugs from Juarez to Denver

Eclectic group charged with shipping more than 40 pounds of cocaine per week, $650,000 seized

Published November 8, 2010 11:01PM (EST)

Federal officials say gang members, a retired firefighter and a college team coach were among 35 people indicted on charges of transporting more than 40 pounds of cocaine from Mexico to the Denver area every week.

FBI agents said Monday the cocaine came from a drug cartel in Juarez (wahr-EHZ'), Mexico, and was transported through Texas to Denver. They say $650,000 in cash was seized during their investigation, including more than $500,000 from one home.

Officials says 23 people in the alleged drug ring were arrested Friday in Colorado. Five others were arrested elsewhere: two in Texas, one in Illinois, one in Alabama and one in Nevada.

One person was already in custody, and six remain at large.

Juarez is across the U.S. border from El Paso, Texas.


By Associated Press

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