Pubdate: Thu, 01 Dec 2011 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2011 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 EIGHT CHARGED WITH MOVING 'HIGHLY PURE' METH IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO Eight charged with moving 'highly pure' meth in southwest Colorado The Drug Enforcement Administration has arrested charged eight people on charges of trafficking "highly pure methamphetamine" in southwest Colorado, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Denver said today. The two-year investigation netted $25,670 in cash, 6.5 pounds of meth and seven guns, including assault rifles, according to prosecutors. Those arrested were Hilario Quintero-Rodriguez, 40; Octavio Quezada-Perez, 46; Abel Sanchez-Leon, 37; Flodina Beletso Gallegos, 28; Guadalupe Ruiz-Guardado, 50; Julio Mares-Ruiz, 25; Luis Jorge Martinez-Valdiva, 35; and Robert Mason Byas, 60. All eight face drug trafficking charges and face 10 years to life in federal prison and fines up to $4 million. "The drug methamphetamine is a danger to the health and safety of our families and communities in Colorado," DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Merrill said in a press release. "We hope the arrests we are announcing today sends a message to those that are profiting from the distribution of this dangerous drug -- that the DEA will consider investigations of methamphetamine dealers to be a DEA priority in this state, and we will continue to target those who choose to involve themselves in this illegal activity." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt