Seven people are in jail, accused of being involved in a major Drug Trafficking Organization in Rifle and Garfield County. The Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT) and the DEA started the investigation earlier this year and ended up arresting seven people allegedly involved with transporting and the distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms. Officers seized meth, Xanax, cocaine, illegal mushrooms, marijuana, and close to 14,000 (13,846) Fentanyl pills. They also seized 12 guns, of which at least two were stolen, and $45,000 in cash. The seven suspects are in the Garfield County Jail in Glenwood Springs.

Photos courtesy Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.

Here is the full press release from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office today.

 

Multiple Suspects Arrested in Drug Trafficking Organization

 

TRIDENT along with the DEA started an investigation earlier this year into a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) located in the City of Rifle/Garfield County area. Throughout the investigation TRIDENT/DEA identified numerous people that were involved with the transporting and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms. On 11-4-2021, TRIDENT/DEA along with the Threat Assessment Group (TAG), Garfield County All Hazards Response Team (AHRT), HSI, Officers, Deputies and investigators from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Rifle Police Department, Glenwood Springs Police Department and the Parachute Police Department conducted numerous search and arrests warrants tied to this DTO.

 

Over the course of the investigation, TRIDENT/DEA seized approximately 8.43 pounds of Methamphetamine, Approximately 13,846 Fentanyl pills, 3,814 Xanax bars, almost ¾ of a pound of cocaine, 73.6 grams of Psilocybin Mushrooms, 5.69 pounds of Marijuana, 12 guns in which at least two were reported stolen and over $45,000 in US currency. The charges brought against these persons range from firearm offences, possession of a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, which are felony charges.

 

It should be noted that there are still aspects of this investigation that are ongoing.

 

Listed below are those that have been arrested and tied to this investigation:

• Brittany N. Ferpes, 38
• Ruben Chavez III, 28
• Christopher L. Richter, 34
• Tyrell T. Portlock, 49 (already in custody)
• Brittany J. N. Echeverria, 32
• Garrett D. Ford, 34 (multiple warrants)
• Cody A. Smith, 31 (already in custody)