Drug raids in Eagle County resulted in over 145 pounds of drugs being seized in one day

EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) – The Eagle County Sheriff's Office said its GRANITE team seized 145.19 pounds of illegal drugs during two traffic stops on October 16.

Around 8:30 a.m., they were conducting a routine traffic stop on an SUV on I-70 near mile marker 147 when the driver exhibited suspicious activity. Officials said the driver attempted to grab an officer's gun, which resulted in the release of K-9 Zane.

Officers said Zane alerted them several times and during a search the car found three packages of suspected cocaine weighing over seven pounds, a package of suspected M30 fentanyl pills weighing over 2.5 pounds and a pressed brick Purple fentanyl weighing nearly three pounds was found in the car.

“M30 fentanyl pills are counterfeit pills that resemble real oxycodone,” Eagle County deputies said. “They are extremely dangerous because they often look exactly like legitimate prescription pills, so users are unaware of their deadly potential. Purple fentanyl is usually mixed with other substances and colored purple to make it more attractive to those seeking a unique or stronger high.”

They said the driver, 33-year-old Miguel Angel Del Rio Gomez of Indianapolis, was being held on the following charges:

• Illegal distribution of a controlled substance (cocaine) is a Class 1 drug felony
• Special Offender (Cocaine) is a Class 1 drug felony
• Conspiracy is a Class 1 drug felony
• Illegal possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) is a Class 4 drug felony
• Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (fentanyl) is a Class 1 drug felony
• Special Offender (Fentanyl), a Class 1 drug felony
• Illegal possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) is a Class 4 drug felony

Later that same day, at approximately 3:15 p.m., K-9 Zane and the deputy stopped a pickup truck on I-70 at mile marker 140 for multiple violations.

Officers said they suspected criminal activity and released Zane again. During that search, they found 132.78 pounds of meth and drug paraphernalia in the truck.

The driver, 59-year-old Carlos Garces of Minneapolis, was arrested on the following charges:

• Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) is a Class 1 drug felony
• Special Offender (Methamphetamine), a Class 1 drug felony
• Conspiracy is a Class 1 drug felony
• Illegal possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) is a Class 4 drug felony

If you have any additional information about these or any other crimes, contact the Eagle County Sheriff's Office at (970) 328-8500 or Eagle County Crime Stoppers at P3Tips.com. The sheriff's office said if your tip leads to an arrest or indictment, you could receive a cash reward.

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