On Monday, the Cortez Police Department announced that a recent large-scale operation called “Operation Hot Summer Nights” shut down a drug trafficking operation in Cortez that ended with the conviction and sentencing of eight people.

The Montezuma/Cortez Narcotics Investigation Team, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Indian Affairs received information in July 2022 that a drug trafficking operation was taking place in Montezuma County. The organization was reportedly bringing “significant” amounts of meth and fentanyl into the county, according to the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado.

During the operation to arrest the individuals involved, law enforcement found more than a kilogram (2 pounds) of meth, 1,000 fentanyl pills and multiple firearms.

“The Montezuma/Cortez Narcotics Investigations Team is tasked with identifying and dismantling drug trafficking organizations, who are responsible for distributing deadly substances into our communities. We are proud to call The Drug Enforcement Administration, The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the United States Attorney’s Office our partners in this endeavor,” Detective Sgt. Victor Galarza, Supervisor of the Montezuma/Cortez Narcotics Investigations Team told The Journal on Monday.

“May this be an example to those attempting to bring these poisons into Montezuma County and the Four Corners Region. We remain vigilant and steadfast in our commitment to serve and protect our home and neighbors. Our task continues, and there is still a lot for us to do. We are thankful for our community’s continued support and assistance in this important mission,” Galarza said.

As a result of the successful operation to take down the drug traffickers, the following arrests were made.

Crystal Bass, 43, of Cortez; Douglas Brummett, 34, of Cortez; Mary Lobato, 41, of Cortez; Infant Maciel, 29, of Cortez; Luis Martinez, 44, of Cortez; William Millard, 36, of Dolores; Cesar Ortiz-Castillo, 33, of Mexico; and Russell Wall, 36, of Cortez.

Colorado District Court judge Gordon Gallagher presided over the cases and Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Josh Player and Jeffrey Graves were in charge of the prosecutions.

Cortez Police reported that Bass pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing meth. She was sentenced to 15 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.Brummett pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing meth and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced to 34 months in jail, followed by three years of supervised release.Lobato pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of meth and was sentenced to 28 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.Maciel pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing meth. He was sentenced to 42 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.Martinez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 80 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release.Millard pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

He was sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Ortiz-Castillo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. He was sentenced to 72 months in jail, followed by five years of supervised release.Wall pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release.

“The Montezuma/Cortez Narcotics Investigation Team is committed to fighting the war on dangerous drugs and stopping the flow of illicit narcotics coming into our communities,” Cortez Police Detective Tom Quinnett said. “Our primary goal is to dismantle and destroy drug trafficking organizations within our reach.”