Three alleged drug suppliers from Colorado were taken into custody as part of a large-scale FBI investigation aimed at bringing down a multi-state cocaine trafficking ring.
According to a release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota, the multi-agency operation, known as “Operation Black Book,” resulted in 14 arrests in South Dakota and three in Colorado.
The first portion of the operation took place in Colorado on June 16, when FBI agents from South Dakota and Denver detained three people and seized 17 firearms. Colorado arrests were as follows:
- 32-year-old Wuttichai Chankaeo of Commerce City
- 42-year-old Amber Bravo of Westminster
- 49-year-old Joseph Valdez of Westminster
The total federal investigation culminated in the takedown of a multi-state cocaine trafficking organization that was responsible for importing kilograms of cocaine into South Dakota, as well as multiple seizures:
- Over 37 guns
- More than $61,000
- About five kilograms of cocaine
All of those arrested were federally accused of conspiring to distribute a prohibited narcotic, with some also facing accusations for financial and weapons offenses.
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