Fifteen individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in what authorities describe as the largest methamphetamine seizure in Colorado’s history. The United States Attorney for the District of Colorado announced that one defendant faces a so-called “drug kingpin” charge as an alleged leader of the drug trafficking organization.
The indictment names Marco Antonio De Silva Lara, Sergio Ivan Arce Lopez, Juan Luis Cabrera Saucedo, Luis Enrique Lopez Lopez, Rigoberto Aranda, Erik Alejandro Benitez Chavez, Robert Shane Gerstner, Joseph Ricardo Menzor, William Joseph Rollins, Brittney Pierce, Francisco Javier Armenta Barraza, Jamie Cash Hoover, Cesar Andres Huizar Guerra, and Trenton Anthony Thompson. Eleven of those named are currently in federal custody; others are believed to be in Mexico.
According to details provided in the complaint, investigators used federal wiretaps and surveillance along with undercover operations. These efforts led to the seizure of more than 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine linked to this group. In December 2024, agents seized 96 pounds from a member on a Greyhound Bus in Vail. In February 2025, another member was stopped on a Colorado highway with 101 pounds of methamphetamine and half a kilogram of fentanyl powder. A raid at a Lakewood residence in April uncovered over 700 pounds hidden among fruit containers and equipment used for manufacturing or converting methamphetamine. Nearly 50 more pounds were seized from an Arvada home in August.
All fifteen defendants face drug charges carrying potential sentences ranging from ten years to life imprisonment. Four also face money laundering charges that could result in up to twenty years’ imprisonment. Marco Antonio De Silva Lara is charged under the Continuing Criminal Enterprise statute (21 U.S.C. § 848(a)), known as the “drug kingpin” law—a charge carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years and up to life.
“This successful investigation boasts the largest methamphetamine seizure in Colorado history and intercepted more than 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine before it could be distributed into our community,” said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly. “This investigation showcases what we are able to accomplish when we combine the resources, tools, and expertise of federal agencies with the passion, experience, and sweat equity of local law enforcement officers.”
Multiple agencies participated: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations; as well as Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Arvada Police Department.
This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative created by Executive Order 14159 (“Protecting the American People Against Invasion”). The HSTF brings together various government agencies aiming to disrupt criminal cartels and transnational organizations operating both domestically and internationally.
Prosecution is being handled by the Transnational Organized Crime and Money Laundering Section within the United States Attorney’s Office for Colorado.
Authorities emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
Case Number: 1:25-CR-240-PAB
