Leader of major Weld County drug ring sentenced to 376 years in prison

Published on August 15, 2024

GREELEY, Colo. (Weld County D.A.) – Jose Arellano-Arredondo, the leader of a major Weld County drug trafficking operation, was sentenced to more than 300 years in prison for his involvement in the distribution network.

Last week, Weld County District Court Judge Vincente Vigil sentenced the 67-year-old to 376 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.

In June, a jury found Arellano-Arredondo guilty of more than 40 counts, including drug-related and money laundering charges.

The conviction followed an undercover investigation by the Weld County Drug Task Force, which began in 2019.

The investigation uncovered that the drugs were transported from Mexico to Nevada and Arizona, before reaching the defendant in Greeley.

Authorities then conducted undercover purchases before executing search warrants at Arellano-Arredondo’s home in September 2020.

Throughout the investigation, law enforcement intercepted and seized thousands of fentanyl pills, multiple pounds of methamphetamine, several ounces of cocaine, and more than $100,000 in cash, all connected to the defendant and his co-conspirators' distribution and laundering operations.

"For years, this man flooded our streets and community with massive quantities of poison. The true extent of the lives he destroyed may never be known. He exploited others’ addictions for personal profit, and we will not tolerate this behavior in our community," Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia said.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia and Deputy District Attorney Daniel Skelton prosecuted this case.