Pubdate: Fri, 02 Nov 2001
Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)
Copyright: 2001 Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.denver-rmn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/371
Author: Lynn Bartels

WIRETAP HELPS FELL LARIMER COUNTY DRUG RING

A federal wiretap provided a multi-agency drug task force a peek into 
a complex narcotics empire operating out of Larimer County.

Authorities say 1,647 of 2,220 local calls made during a 23-day 
period last spring were about the sale and distribution of drugs, 
including cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

"That gave us a real look at the drug trade," said Lt. Jim Broderick 
of the Fort Collins Police Department and commander of the Larimer 
County Drug Task Force.

The task force announced Thursday it had dismantled a significant 
drug-distribution organization operating in Fort Collins, Loveland 
and unincorporated Larimer County.

Customers included blue-collar workers and real estate agents, but 
the focus of the investigation was the distributors, Broderick said.

The yearlong investigation, dubbed "America's Town," resulted in the 
arrest of 49 suspects, including Benjamin Escobar-Ortega, 24, the 
reputed kingpin. The Mexico native was living in Colorado.

Five arrests are pending, Broderick said.

The investigation led police to Longmont, Phoenix and Nebraska. 
Officers discovered other drug rings they thought were unrelated, but 
they eventually realized the operations were connected, Broderick 
said.

The federal wiretap authorized in March provided the task force with 
detailed information about drug trafficking. The arrests began in 
April but were not announced until this week.

In addition to drug charges, some suspects have been charged with 
weapons and immigration violations.

The task force included local city and county law enforcement, the 
Drug Enforcement Administration and the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service.
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