Drug trafficking

Crime

Drugs seized during car search within Durango city limits

Manuel Lorenzana-Ruvalcaba, 40, was allegedly in possession of fentanyl, meth and cocaine

February 18, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Cortez

Montezuma-Cortez narcotics team announces seizure of trafficked drugs

than 6 pounds of meth, 3 pounds of cocaine and other items seized

February 8, 2025 • Bailey Duran — Special to The Journal

Cortez

Appeals court reverses drug conviction that resulted in man’s 16-year prison sentence

Alberto DeJesus III of Cortez to receive new trial setting

December 7, 2024 • Bailey Duran — Special to The Journal

Cortez

Eight drug traffickers out of Montezuma County sentenced to 32 total years

drug task force became aware of the traffickers in 2022

September 11, 2024 • Bailey Duran — Special to The Journal

Cortez

Man arrested in Cortez on suspicion of drug trafficking

Man’s vehicle was littered with drug traces and paraphernalia

June 3, 2024 • Bailey Duran — Special to The Journal

Cortez

Montezuma-Cortez team arrests two men in recent ‘shooting events’

rifle, handgun seized after police pursuit

April 5, 2024 • Bailey Duran — Special to The Journal

Colorado

As deaths from fentanyl continue, Colorado pushes for action

launches Voices for Awareness Foundation in Grand Junction

February 25, 2024 • Caitlyn Kim — Colorado Public Radio

Crime

Durango man sentenced for meth, fentanyl distribution

William Hunt Hardaway also sold firearms, according to federal court records

January 2, 2024 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Drug trafficking

Durango man who scattered fentanyl pills on Main Avenue sentenced to federal prison

Suspect was fleeing from law enforcement when he lost control of drugs

October 7, 2023 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

Woman sentenced for transporting 66 pounds of meth near Bayfield

Previous plea agreement calling for probation was rejected by judge

September 16, 2023 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Eight Montezuma County residents arrested after narcotics investigation

law enforcement worked for nearly two years to capture alleged traffickers

July 27, 2023 • Bailey Duran — Special to The Journal

6th Judicial District

They were caught with 66 pounds of meth – why were they offered probation?

defendants with similar circumstances: One judge approves plea agreement, another rejects it

July 24, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Drug trafficking

Rep. Brittany Pettersen’s first bill aims to bring more resources to fight against fentanyl

Congresswoman’s effort is fueled by personal background

April 13, 2023 • Caitlyn Kim — Colorado Public Radio

Colorado state government

Drug distribution on social media discussed in Colorado AG report

Attorney General Phil Weiser speaks at 2022 Candidate Forum, held at the University of Denver, on Oct. 12, 2022. Weiser…

March 10, 2023 • Lindsey Toomer — Colorado Newsline

Drug trafficking

‘Rainbow fentanyl’ makes its way to La Plata County

enforcement warns synthetic drug is being marketed to appeal to children

October 20, 2022 • Megan K. Olsen — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

La Plata County officials return from fentanyl summit with new insights

Trainings designed to help law enforcement, prosecutors collaborate

June 7, 2022 • Aedan Hannon — Herald Staff Writer

Bayfield Middle School

Suspected fentanyl found at Bayfield Middle School

Marshal’s Office investigating how pill was introduced to locker room

April 28, 2022 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado Legislature

Durango’s chief of police calls for greater legal tools to address fentanyl

Colorado legislation would increase penalties, but some say that won’t prevent overdose deaths

April 20, 2022 • Aedan Hannon — Herald Staff Writer

Courts

Four men sentenced to prison for illegal drug distribution in Southwest Colorado

Punishments ranged from 2½ to 10 years

April 14, 2022 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado Legislature

Knowingly having more than 1 gram of fentanyl would be a felony under change to Colorado bill

Bill 1326 is entangled in election-year politics

April 14, 2022 • Shannon Najmabadi and Jesse Paul — The Colorado Sun

Cortez

Jury convicts Cortez man for drug distribution

DeJesus sentenced to 16 years in prison

April 6, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Drug trafficking

Fort Lewis College hosts seminar to discuss overdose

Wellness organizations hand out over 100 doses of Narcan

March 11, 2022 • Nicholas A. Johnson — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Cortez woman sentenced to 9½ years for drug distribution and other crimes

distribution included meth and fentanyl; law enforcement calls sentence a ‘victory for the community’

February 24, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Colorado

Lawmakers rethink a law that made possessing fentanyl a misdemeanor

4 grams could be enough for 2,000 fatal doses of the drug

February 24, 2022 • Jesse Paul — The Colorado Sun