The Northern Colorado Drug Task Force’s (NCDTF) eight-month-long investigation known as Operation Malverde has resulted in multiple arrests, including a Berthoud resident, and seizures of illegal drugs, weapons, and cash. Task force investigators seized the following while executing search warrants across Northern Colorado on September 10, 2019:

Methamphetamine: 37.85 pounds (some believed to be laced with Fentanyl for addictive qualities) Heroin: 108 grams Marijuana: 5 pounds Prescription drugs (Oxycodone and Fentanyl): 213 pills Mushrooms: 11 grams Cocaine: 6 grams Rifles / shotguns: 6 Handguns: 6 U.S. Currency: $13,000

To date, the following individuals have been arrested:

Howard John Trowbridge (05/12/1957) of Denver Lynne Francis Tenery (12/13/1972) of Campion Raymond Michael Gefroh (10/19/1965) of Fort Collins Bruce Wayne Iskowitsch (03/08/1962) of Loveland Matthew Xavier Lucero (12/20/1999) homeless in Fort Collins Arnet Emile Cotton (05/17/1969) of Cheyenne, Wyoming Jacob Rettenberger (07/26/1982) of Estes Park Karen Jean Latulip (09/26/1959) of Berthoud Natasha Jean Latulip (01/05/1983) of Loveland Michael Dean Gonser (02/28/1968) of Lakewood

Altogether, these suspects face more than 120 felony allegations including: Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA), Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering and Distribution of Controlled Substances.

The investigation continues and several suspects are still at large including Ismael Ivan Mojica-Garcia. Mojica-Garcia is a Sinaloa Drug Cartel Cell Head and should be considered armed and very dangerous. Mojica-Garcia has multiple active felony warrants for his arrest related to Operation Malverde and has a pending deportation hearing. He drives a blue 2010 Chevrolet Corvette with temporary Colorado license plate #1103924. Please do not approach this man. If you see him or know where he is, please call 911 or your local law enforcement agency immediately. See the attached wanted poster for more details.

LCSO Captain and NCDTF Commander Joe Shellhammer said, “The level of cooperation among our federal, state, and local law enforcement contributed to the success of this operation. More than 10,000 labor hours have gone into Operation Malverde and we still have important work to do.” Commander Shellhammer added that this investigation spanned well beyond Colorado’s borders and to Mexico.