Eaton man arrested for alleged connection to distribution of fentanyl, meth in Northern Colorado – Greeley Tribune

The Northern Colorado Drug Task Force has arrested an Eaton man for his alleged connection to the distribution of thousands of illicit fentanyl and methamphetamine pills in Northern Colorado.

In March, detectives from the task force and the Drug Enforcement Administration began secretly communicating with a suspect about the distribution of controlled substances, according to a news release issued Wednesday. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old German Baez of Eaton, allegedly distributed illegal narcotics in the area and had ties to the Sinaloa drug cartel.

Between April and May, investigators recovered approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine and 2,500 fentanyl pills through undercover drug transactions, according to the release. In May, investigators learned that Baez was traveling to California and planned to send narcotics to Colorado; detectives then seized five packages containing methamphetamine and fentanyl concealed in children's toys.

Covert communications continued with Baez, who eventually agreed to sell investigators 40,000 fentanyl pills. When Baez arrived at an arranged location on May 23 — listed in previous Larimer County Sheriff's Office arrest records as the 4700 block of Ronald Reagan Boulevard north of Johnstown, just south of Loveland — he was greeted by law enforcement and arrested, according to the press release. .

Task force members then executed residential search warrants at properties associated with Baez and, in total, seized 26 pounds of methamphetamine and 19 pounds of fentanyl, or more than 85,000 dose units.

“The NCDTF and our partners at the District Attorney’s Office will continue to hold drug traffickers accountable for the distribution of Fentanyl in our communities,” LCSO Lt. Mark Hertz, who is commanding officer of the NCDTF, said in the release. “This case is the perfect example of tireless efforts combined with an excellent working relationship between our federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Unfortunately, the statement that “one pill can kill” is a cruel reality. Removing these quantities of Fentanyl from our area has undoubtedly saved lives.

Baez has since been charged with three counts of importation of a controlled substance, a Class 1 drug misdemeanor; three counts of distribution of more than 112 grams of a controlled substance, a class 1 drug offense; four counts of possession of more than 112 grams of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a class 1 drug misdemeanor; two counts of possession of less than 50 grams of fentanyl, a class 1 drug offense; three counts of possession of less than 50 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute, a class 1 drug misdemeanor; and distribution of four to 50 grams of fentanyl, a Class 2 drug offense.

He remains in custody at the Larimer County Jail in Fort Collins on $1 million cash-only bail and is scheduled to appear before 8th Judicial District Court Judge Sarah Cure at 10:30 a.m. June 18.

“Record fentanyl seizures and record numbers of overdoses are making news every day across our country, and Colorado is not immune,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Rocky Mountain Field Division, David Olesky, in the release. “Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45. The only way to fight this epidemic is through collaboration. The Northern Colorado Drug Task Force and the DEA have formed a strong partnership to target fentanyl traffickers here and abroad.