Man arrested in Colorado bust brother of target in nation's ‘largest fentanyl bust': CBI
DENVER (KDVR) — Federal, state and local officials in Colorado arrested four men and seized 800,000 fentanyl pills that were part of a 'massive fentanyl distribution network,' the Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced Wednesday.
The main target of the Colorado operation, according to CBI, was Rafael Salazar-Amaya, who now faces 44 counts which include violations of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance and special offender charges. A CBI spokesperson confirmed to FOX31 Rafael Salazar-Amaya is the brother of Heriberto Salazar Amaya, who U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says was arrested in Oregon as part of the 'largest fentanyl bust in our nation's history.'
AG Bondi announces 'largest fentanyl bust in our nation's history' spanning 5 states
The Colorado investigation also revealed the drug trafficking organization involved is connected to the Sinaloa cartel, which was targeted in the operation Bondi touted that also spanned multiple states. Colorado's investigation ran parallel to that investigation, the CBI spokesperson said, which Bondi said at a press conference Tuesday took place in New Mexico.
'This was a meticulous operation that required interagency cooperation to take down a massive operation,' said Dan Volz, Deputy Director of Investigations for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. 'Every pill taken off the streets is one less potential overdose death.'
The Colorado investigation, which CBI says spanned New Mexico, Utah and Arizona, concluded on April 28 after Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and North Metro Drug Task Force agents executed search warrants at two Denver metro homes, arresting the four men and finding the fentanyl pills along with fentanyl powder, meth, heroin and approximately $60,000 in cash.
Drugs Confiscated During Search Warrant Execution. Credit: CBI
Drugs Confiscated During Search Warrant Execution. Credit: CBI
Drugs Confiscated During Search Warrant Execution. Credit: CBI
Drugs Confiscated During Search Warrant Execution. Credit: CBI
Three other people were arrested:
Fernando Noriega-Alvarado, 52, who faces 13 counts including COCCA, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance, and special offender charges.
Celedonio Pulido-Romero, 31, who faces 23 counts including COCCA, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance, and special offender charges.
An unnamed male, 24, who faces 7 counts including COCCA, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and distribution of a controlled substance.
'The successful dismantlement of the Salazar-Amaya organization by CBI, DEA, and North Metro Task Force is a testament to what can be accomplished through inter-agency collaboration,' said Jonathan Pullen, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division. 'The investigation netted the seizure of over half a million fentanyl pills here in the Denver-Metro Area, directly impacting our community through the saving of lives. Colorado is undoubtedly safer as a result.'
CBI said Salazar-Amaya was in the U.S. illegally, as well as three other undocumented people.
Colorado man connected to Mexican cartel sentenced for 'high-volume' drug trafficking: DA
The investigation began in Cañon City in October 2024, where CBI and the DEA identified the initial targets, leading investigators to more targets in Denver, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Mexico.
'We got the bad guys and took the poison off our streets,' Colorado Governor Jared Polis said in a press release. 'I thank the CBI and the agents who worked to get these dangerous drugs out of Colorado's communities. We want to make Colorado safer for everyone and this is a step in the right direction. It's collaborative efforts like this that make Colorado safer.'
All four suspects arrested are currently being held at the Adams County Detention Center and face prosecution by the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
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