Months-long investigation by Denver Police leads to arrest of suspects in connection with alleged manufacture of fentanyl pills

After months of investigation, Denver Police announced the arrest of suspects accused of manufacturing fentanyl pills.

According to police, a search warrant was issued on May 1 of a home in the 1800 block of South Olathe Street in Aurora, during which five pill presses and other equipment, suspected fentanyl and other narcotics, and firearms were seized.

When the search warrant was executed, four adults and three children were inside the home, according to DPD. The adults were identified as 33-year-old Tashon Roberts and 34-year-old Coleman Phillips. Both were taken into custody on outstanding warrants not directly related to the search warrant.

According to investigators, the operation was capable of producing an estimated 20,000 tablets per day, but the actual number of fentanyl tablets produced is unknown.

The three children who were in the house during the search were four years old or younger. One of them tested positive for fentanyl, according to the DPD.

“The warning ‘one pill can kill’ is absolutely true, and the dismantling of this fentanyl pill manufacturing facility may have saved lives by ending a significant supply of fentanyl pills to our community,” said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. “Our investigators did an incredible job uncovering the operation and the individuals behind it, and we will continue to aggressively pursue anyone manufacturing or trafficking illegal narcotics in Denver.”

According to the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, there were 598 drug-related deaths in 2023, 389 of which involved fentanyl.

Roberts was arrested on July 2, 2024 for investigation into:

• Intentional possession – Fentanyl – more than 50 grams

• Child abuse SBI knowingly or negligently

• Child abuse – manufacture of controlled substances

• Child abuse – manufacture of controlled substances

• Child abuse – manufacture of controlled substances

• Special Offender – Fentanyl Pill Press

• Special Offender – Firearm

• Special offender – source of income

• Special Agent – Conspiracy – Sales Pattern

• Conspiracy Controlled Substance Fentanyl more than 50 grams

• Illicit manufacture of a controlled substance – fentanyl – more than 50 grams

Imani Hale, 28, was arrested on July 2 for investigation of:

• Intentional possession – Fentanyl – more than 50 grams

• Illicit manufacture of a controlled substance – fentanyl more than 50 grams

• Conspiracy Controlled Substance – Fentanyl – more than 50 grams

• Special Offender – Firearm

• Special Offender – Fentanyl Pill Press

• Child abuse – manufacture of controlled substances

• Child abuse – manufacture of controlled substances

• Child abuse – manufacture of controlled substances

• Child abuse – SBI – knowingly or negligently

Phillips was arrested on June 20 for the investigation of:

• Intentional possession – Fentanyl – more than 50 grams

• Child abuse SBI knowingly or negligently

• Child abuse – manufacture of controlled substances

• Child abuse – manufacture of controlled substances

• Child abuse – manufacture of controlled substances

• Special Offender – Fentanyl Pill Press

• Special Offender – Firearm

• Special offender – source of income

• Conspiracy Controlled Substance – Fentanyl – more than 50 grams

• Illicit manufacture of a controlled substance – fentanyl more than 50 grams