Months-long investigation by Denver police leads to arrests of suspects in alleged fentanyl pill manufacturing case

After a months-long investigation, the Denver Police Department announced the arrest of suspects accused of a fentanyl pill manufacturing operation.

According to the police department, on May 1, a search was conducted at a home in the 1800 block of South Olathe Street in Aurora, resulting in the recovery of five pill presses, as well as other equipment, suspected fentanyl and other narcotics, and firearms.

According to DPD, at the time of the search warrant, four adults and three children were inside the home. The adults were identified as Tashon Roberts, 33, and Coleman Phillips, 34. Both were taken into custody on outstanding warrants that were not directly related to the search warrant.

Investigators say the operation was capable of producing approximately 20,000 pills per day, although the actual number of fentanyl pills produced by the operation is unknown.

The three children in the home during the search were 4 years old or younger, while one of them tested positive for fentanyl exposure, according to DPD.

“The warning ‘One Pill Can Kill’ is absolutely true, and the dismantling of this fentanyl pill manufacturing operation potentially saved lives by stopping a significant supply of fentanyl pills in our community,” said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. “Our investigators did an incredible job uncovering the operation and those behind it, and we will continue to aggressively pursue anyone manufacturing or selling illicit narcotics in Denver.”

According to data from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, there were 598 drug-related deaths, and 389 of those deaths involved fentanyl in 2023.

Roberts was arrested on July 2, 2024, for investigation of:

• Intentional Possession – Fentanyl – more than 50 grams

• SBI Child Abuse, Knowingly or Recklessly

• Child Abuse – Manufacture of Controlled Substances

• Child Abuse – Manufacture of Controlled Substances

• Child Abuse – Manufacture of Controlled Substances

• Special Offender – Fentanyl Pills Press

• Special Offender – Firearm

• Special Offender – Source of Income

• Special Offender – Conspiracy – Sales Model

• Conspiracy Controlled Substance Fentanyl over 50 grams

• Illegal manufacture of a controlled substance – Fentanyl – more than 50 grams

Imani Hale, 28, was arrested July 2 for investigation of:

• Intentional Possession – Fentanyl – more than 50 grams

• Illegal manufacture of a controlled substance – Fentanyl, more than 50 grams

• Conspiracy against a controlled substance – Fentanyl – more than 50 grams

• Special Offender – Firearm

• Special Offender – Fentanyl Pills Press

• Child Abuse – Manufacture of Controlled Substances

• Child Abuse – Manufacture of Controlled Substances

• Child Abuse – Manufacture of Controlled Substances

• Child Abuse – SBI – Knowingly or Recklessly

Phillips was arrested on June 20 for investigation of:

• Intentional Possession – Fentanyl – more than 50 grams

• SBI Child Abuse, Knowingly or Recklessly

• Child Abuse – Manufacture of Controlled Substances

• Child Abuse – Manufacture of Controlled Substances

• Child Abuse – Manufacture of Controlled Substances

• Special Offender – Fentanyl Pills Press

• Special Offender – Firearm

• Special Offender – Source of Income

• Conspiracy against a controlled substance – Fentanyl – more than 50 grams

• Illegal manufacture of a controlled substance – Fentanyl, more than 50 grams