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Denver man sentenced to 48 years in prison after 100,000 fentanyl pills were seized

A Denver man will spend the next several decades in prison for his part in a major Northern Colorado drug trafficking ring.

Colorado State Troopers pulled over Miguel Gutierrez-Heredia, in Fruita, Colorado on March 26th, 2024, for driving 98 mph in a 75 mph speed zone, according to a news release from the 19th Judicial District Attorney’s office.

During the time of the traffic stop, Gutierrez-Heredia was a subject in an active drug trafficking investigation, and authorities were tracking his location.

Authorities located nearly 100,000 fentanyl pills, nearly five pounds of cocaine, and more than two-and-a-half pounds of methamphetamine in Gutierrez-Heredia’s vehicle during the traffic stop.

Investigators were able to conclude that Gutierrez-Heredia had gone to California to pick up the narcotics that were eventually intended to be distributed in Denver and Northern Colorado, according to Weld County Officials.

“At the time of this interception, this was one of the biggest fentanyl busts in the state,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia said. “Because of the incredible work from our partners in law enforcement, they were able to stop that poison from making its way to our community. I can’t imagine how many lives would have been impacted, or taken, had these drugs flooded our streets of Weld County.”

In May, Gutierrez-Heredia pled guilty to:

  • One count of conspiracy to sell or distribute fentanyl, more than 50 grams
  • One count of special offender, introducing or importing to State of Colorado
  • One count of possession with intent to sell or distribute methamphetamine – more than 14 Grams but less than 225 grams

On Monday afternoon, Gutierrez-Heredia was given the maximum sentence of 48 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.

Weld County District Court Judge Vincente Vigil emphasized the seriousness of Gutierrez-Heredia’s crimes.

“I want to be clear,” Judge Vigil said. “This was a choice. This is something you decided to do. The cost of doing business in Weld County might be more of a price than you wanted to bear.”

The investigation involved collaboration between the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force, Weld County Drug Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Colorado State Patrol and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Major Narcotics Trafficking Unit Task Force.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia and Deputy District Attorney Katherine Fitzgerald also prosecuted the case.

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