DENVER - 9Wants to Know has learned federal officials have taken custody of a suspected Mexican drug dealer who they say operated one of the largest cocaine operations in Colorado and one of the largest money-laundering operations in the world.



Oscar Arriola was flown from Mexico to Denver late Tuesday after being held in custody in Mexico.

Arriola will make a court appearance in Denver Federal Court Wednesday at 2 p.m.

In 2004, the Mexican drug cartel was storing tractor-trailer loads of cocaine at a ranch in El Paso County, according to federal authorities.

At that time, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration released information about a 2.5 year world-wide investigation that lead to the seizure of 5,100 pounds of cocaine, 521 pounds of marijuana and about $10.4 million.

Drugs funneled through Colorado were distributed to many other states, 9Wants to Know has learned.

Tractor-trailers were used to pull into a barn and unload the drugs, authorities told 9Wants to Know Wednesday.

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