Charges dropped in massive MS-13 gang bust

Posted: Thursday, March 10, 2011 11:39 am | Updated: 6:39 am, Thu Mar 10, 2011.

BRANDON JOHANSSON, The Aurora Sentinel Aurora Sentinel

AURORA | Two years after federal authorities announced firearms and drug charges against 20 people accused of being members of a violent street gang, the charges have been dropped.

Federal prosecutors announced the indictments against 20 people — including 12 from Aurora — accused of being members of the MS-13 gang in February 2009,
The indictments, which alleged the gang distributed methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, were aimed at stopping the street gang from setting up shop in the metro area, officials said at the time.

But last week, a spokesman for the United State’s Attorney’s Office in Denver confirmed that the charges stemming from the February 2009 indictments had been dropped.

“The decision to dismiss this portion of the case was made in the interest of justice, and is an appropriate disposition of this matter,â€