Operation Pacifico: Last key member of criminal drug-trafficking ring sentenced to 17 years

Operation Pacifico: Last key member of criminal drug-trafficking ring sentenced to 17 years

June 23, 2026 (DENVER) - A Weld County District Court judge yesterday sentenced George Trevino to 17 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, a class 1 drug felony. He is the last of three major defendants to plead guilty for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking ring that operated in Weld, Adams, and El Paso counties from October 2022 to August 2023.

In August of 2023, the statewide grand jury returned an indictment (PDF) charging 19 defendants with a total of 103 counts for trafficking large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. The activity occurred mostly in Greeley. As a result of the operation, law enforcement officials seized approximately 5,462 grams of fentanyl, 5,796 grams of methamphetamine, 411.7 grams of cocaine, and 2,668 grams of heroin. The number of grams of fentanyl seized in the operation is the equivalent of about 54,620 pills.

Two other key defendants in the drug trafficking ring were sentenced earlier this year. Jesus Zepeda Fuentes was sentenced on May 8 to 17 years in the Department of Corrections for violation of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (racketeering), a class 2 felony; distribution of methamphetamine, a class 1 drug felony; and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, a class 1 drug felony. The other defendant, Amanda Anderson, was sentenced on February 9 to 15 years for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, both class 1 drug felonies. All available targets of the crime ring have been sentenced.

"Those pushing fentanyl-often presented as counterfeit prescription pills-are responsible for poisoning or overdose deaths and must be held accountable for serious crimes," said Attorney General Weiser. "That's why we have continued to prioritize drug interdiction and have worked hard to take down illegal drug distribution rings like the one in this case. I thank the Weld County Drug Task Force, the Weld County District Attorney, and the Greeley Police Department for their cooperation in this important matter."

The investigation was conducted with the Weld County Drug Task Force and the Greeley Police Department. The cases were prosecuted by a prosecutor from the Colorado Attorney General's Office who served as a special deputy district attorney under the appointment of 19^th Judicial District Attorney Michael Rourke.

"This large-scale narcotics investigation, spanning across county lines, reflects the strength of coordinated law enforcement efforts and our shared commitment to public safety. Through close collaboration with the Colorado Attorney General's Office, we successfully identified, arrested, and supported the prosecution of individuals responsible for distributing illegal narcotics throughout Northern Colorado. The men and women of the Weld County Drug Task Force are grateful for the partnership, professionalism, and determination demonstrated by the Attorney General's Office in the ongoing fight against illegal narcotics in our state," said Tanya Gutierrez, a spokesperson for the Weld County Drug Task Force.

The case numbers are 23CR1347 (Trevino), 23CR1341 (Fuentes), and 23CR1346 (Anderson).

###

Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office
[email protected]