An alleged international drug ring run out of a taco truck resulted in the indictment of 17 people, along with the seizure of 55 pounds of methamphetamine, The Denver Post reported on Monday.
The state grand jury indictments were announced by the Colorado Attorney General's Office, calling the "Operation Cargo" investigation one of the largest meth roundups in state history.
"The brazenness of this ring was astounding," said Attorney General John Suthers. "For example, customers could literally walk up to a food truck and order a side of meth with their taco."
Over a five-week span, wiretaps on the truck were made by authorities. The investigation was focused in the Denver metropolitan area and specifically Adams County.
Some of the taco truck drug ring's activities were successfully completed without attracting federal attention, including the alleged transport of meth across state lines.
Other activities were more obvious, including operating directly out of the food trucks, where customers could purchase meth along with their food, Fox 31 Denver reported.
Juan Carlos Gonzalez, 37, is the alleged leader of the ring, called the Gonzalez Drug Trafficking Organization. The indictment claims that he ran the illegal business out of his BMW, finding drug dealers, drug storage and money laundering.
"Gonzalez coordinated with others to primarily import meth as well as cocaine from Mexico into California for delivery into Mexico," the office said in a news release. Authorities said Gonzalez primarily used his aunts to distribute drugs.
Maria Arellano, 39, was the drug ring member accused of selling the drug out of her taco truck.
