Drug trafficking leader sentenced to over 375 years in prison in Colorado

The leader of a Weld County drug trafficking operation has been sentenced to 376 years in prison. Jose Arellano-Arredondo, 67, was sentenced last week by the Colorado Department of Corrections.

In June, a jury found Arellano-Arredondo guilty on more than 40 counts, including drug and money laundering charges, following an undercover investigation by the Weld County Drug Task Force.

The investigation began in 2019 and revealed that the drugs were transported from Mexico to Nevada and Arizona before reaching the defendant in Greeley. Authorities conducted undercover buys before executing search warrants at Arellano-Arredondo's home in September 2020.

Police said they intercepted and seized thousands of fentanyl pills, several pounds of methamphetamine, several ounces of cocaine and more than $100,000 in cash. Investigators said all related to the distribution and money laundering activities of Arellano-Arredondo and his co-conspirators.

“For years, this man flooded our streets and our community with massive amounts of poison. The true extent of the lives he destroyed may never be known. He exploited the addictions of others for his personal profit, and we will not tolerate this behavior in our community,” Assistant District Attorney Michael Pirraglia said in a statement.