January 23, 2015

Northern Colorado Heroin Network Dismantled by the FBI and the Longmont Police Department

DENVER—Longmont Police Officers and FBI special agents today dismantled a heroin distribution network centered in Northern Colorado, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI and Longmont Police Department announced today. Ten defendants were arrested based on an either a federal indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Denver or a state arrest warrant. One of the four federal defendants, Brice Alday, of Longmont, appeared in U.S. District Court in Denver this afternoon, where he was advised of his rights and the charges pending against him. Four defendants remain at large, and arrests are ongoing.

In September 2014, the Longmont Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) initiated a joint investigation into a heroin use and distribution ring working primarily in Longmont, but with connections to other communities in Northern Colorado. As a result of this investigation, four persons were indicted on federal charges related to heroin distribution—including an allegation that the distribution resulted in death. In addition to the federal defendants, 10 others were named in state charges for possession and/or distribution of a schedule I controlled substance.

The federal indictment includes four federal defendants. Alday and his three co-defendant face four counts, including Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin—the use of which resulted in death. All four defendants also face distribution of heroin resulting in death. Alday and two others also face use of communication facility, a telephone, in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.

The Longmont Police Department is still looking for many of the suspects and are requesting the assistance from the public. Anyone with information on this crime, or any other crime, is asked to call the Longmont Police Department at 303-651-8501 or Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers provides a way for members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime. Crime Stoppers knows “someone other than the criminal has information that can help solve a crime”. Crime Stoppers offers ANONYMITY to people who provide information about crimes AND pays rewards when the information supplied leads to an arrest. People providing information to Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges for this crime may receive up to a $2,000.00 reward and remain anonymous. Tips can also be provided to the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers via the Internet at www.nococrimestoppers.com or by Text to: 244637 (crimes) Keyword: NOCO (followed by your tip).

“Tragically, heroin use has climbed dramatically in Colorado, which has led to an epidemic of heroin overdose deaths,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “Thanks to the FBI and the Longmont Police Department, a Northern Colorado heroin distribution network that was responsible for the death of an individual has been dismantled. But our work in this area is far from done.”

“These arrests highlight a commitment by federal and local agencies to address criminal enterprises responsible for a surge in the trafficking of heroin and resulting overdoses that take lives and destroy families,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle. “We extend our gratitude to the Longmont Police Department and United States Attorney’s Office for working together and using innovative strategies to dismantle groups that threaten the well-being of our communities.”

The federal defendants face a variety of drug distribution related charges. All four also face the charge of Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin—the use of which resulted in death. The four also face distribution of heroin resulting in death. Each count carries a penalty of not less than 20 years, and up to life in federal prison, and up to a $1,000,000 fine. If convicted of use of a communication facility, each of the three defendants who were indicted on that charge face not more than four years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Collins Resident Agency and the Longmont Police Department. In addition, the Boulder District Attorney’s Office is working closely with law enforcement on the prosecution of the state defendants.

The federal defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Giles.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.