80 alleged gang members and drug traffickers were arrested last week in a huge operation by the FBI in Colorado. Police made extensive seizures during the raids, including cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, and weapons. The items will most likely be entered in to evidence and used to prosecute the various drug charges that resulted.

Agents have said that they also removed 12 children from homes that they raided, in situations where drugs and weapons were stored in plain view.

Authorities say that they focused on high-level criminal bosses, money launderers and drug dealers. Police believe that some of the people arrested are connected to unsolved homicides in the Denver area. The Drug Enforcement Agency has said that the focus of this investigation is to decrease violent crimes in the area and make communities safer. The present case began as four separate investigations, which were eventually combined when agents realized there were common links.

The case comes at a time of growing tension between law enforcement and legal drug dealers, while the DEA struggles to control trafficking of illegal goods to and from Mexico.

The crimes alleged in the drug bust have penalties ranging from 10 years to life in prison.

Drug charges of this nature can be difficult to fight, especially if law enforcement has believes that each defendant is a part of a large conspiracy. However, it is important not to rush to judgment of those arrested in this incident. Such a broad operation may have swept up friends or family members of the alleged drug dealers, possibly leading to inaccurate allegations.

Source: Denver Post, "Nearly 100 charged in largest drug bust in Colorado history," Feb. 10, 2012.