Boulder County, Colo. - On May 7, 2025, Carlos Ytuarte-Quinones was found guilty of two counts of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA) (F2), Distribution of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine (DF1), Distribution of a Controlled Substance – Fentanyl (DF1), Conspiracy to Sell or Distribute a Controlled Substance I or II – Cocaine (DF2), Conspiracy to Sell or Distribute a Controlled Substance I or II (DF3), Distribution of a Controlled Substance Schedule I or II – Methamphetamine (DF1), Distribution of a Controlled Substance Schedule I or II – Fentanyl (DF2), two counts of Conspiracy to Commit the Sale or Distribution of a Controlled Substance Schedule (DF3), Attempted First Degree Kidnapping (F3), Attempted Robbery (F5), Attempted Motor Vehicle Theft (F6), two counts of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Kidnapping (F3), Conspiracy to Commit Extortion (F5), Conspiracy to Commit Burglary (F5), Possession with Intent to Sell or Distribute a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine (DF1), and Possession with Intent to Sell or Distribute a Controlled Substance Schedule I or II – Cocaine (DF2).

Today, the Court sentenced Carlos Ytuarte-Quinones to 51 years in the Department of Corrections.

Carlos Ytuarte-Quinones along with 15 others were indicted by the Boulder County Grand Jury on May 19, 2023. The Boulder County Drug Task Force (BCDTF) led the investigation. The District Attorney’s Office presented the case to the Boulder County Grand Jury. The Grand Jury indicted 16 people after a four-month long investigation focused on drug trafficking in Boulder County. In addition to narcotics distribution charges, eight members of the enterprise were indicted on charges of violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA). Five individuals were also indicted on attempted kidnapping, robbery, and aggravated motor vehicle theft.

Through this investigation, approximately 30 pounds of suspected fentanyl, (roughly 124,000 pills), including traditional “blue” M/30 pills, “rainbow” M/30 pills, and blue “Versace” pills were seized. The street value of the pills is approximately $500,000.

Additionally, 25 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of approximately $100,000, 2.46 pounds of heroin, and 0.36 pounds of cocaine were seized during the investigation.

The co-defendant’s pled and were sentenced as follows:

• 23CR807 – Javier Roque-Gomez: Violation of Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA) (F2), Distribution of Methamphetamine (DF1), Distribution of Fentanyl (DF1), sentence = 30 years in prison;
• 23CR815 – Joana Villagrana-Ortiz: COCCA (F2), Distribution of Fentanyl (DF1), sentence = 25 years in prison;
• 23CR820 – Alexis Gasga-Garcia: COCCA (F2): Attempted First Degree Kidnapping (F3), Distribution of Fentanyl (DF1), sentence = 20 years in prison;
• 23CR806 – Jose Polanco-Perez: COCCA (F2): Distribution of Fentanyl (DF1), sentence = 18 years and 180 days in prison;
• 23CR821 – Jose Diego-Alvarez: Attempted First Degree Kidnapping (F3), Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Kidnapping (F3), sentence = 16 years in prison;
• 23CR814 – Adan Quiriarte-Jara: Attempted Kidnapping (F3), sentence = 8 years in prison;
• 23CR819 – Candelaria Ramirez-Ibarra: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (DM1), sentence = 18 months probation;
• 23CR822 – Jose Soto-Aviles: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (DM1), sentence = 18 months probation;
• 23CR824 –Hector Ruvacalba: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (DM1), sentence = 18 months probation;
• 23CR825 – Lizando Arreola: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (DM1), sentence = 12 months deferred judgement;
• 23CR850 – Raul Arellano: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (DM1), sentence = 18 months probation;

One defendant remains at large, and the name is not being released at this time until an arrest is made. As in every criminal case, these charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “As reflected by the large amount of drugs recovered and their monetary value, the Drug Task Force shut down a major drug ring. Our prosecution team fought hard to secure convictions against the leaders of this criminal enterprise, including for the Attempted First Degree Kidnapping. Today’s sentence is a direct result of tireless efforts, collaboration, and a shared commitment to doing justice and upholding the rule of law. I am grateful to all those who worked on this important, serious case.”

Commander Nicholas Goldberger stated, “The Boulder County Drug Task Force is dedicated to uphold the laws of Colorado and the United States. We are proud to work with the District Attorney’s Office in holding defendants accountable for their actions that negatively affect the quality of life, health and safety of our community members”.