-from aspendailynews.com-

Man and wife arrested after search of Glenwood home

Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT) members arrested a Glenwood Springs man and his wife Monday after a two-month investigation netted a large amount of cocaine and cash suspected to be drug proceeds at the couple’s home.

TRIDENT officials began investigating Carmelo Meraz-Godinez, 53, after receiving information that he was allegedly distributing cocaine in the Glenwood Springs area, according to a press release from the TRIDENT office in Glenwood.

On three occasions, agents were allegedly able to buy a total of 38.95 grams of cocaine from Meraz-Godinez, according to the release. Later, they obtained a search warrant for his residence as well as an arrest warrant.

With help from the Garfield County All Hazards Response Team (AHRT), TRIDENT searched Meraz-Godinez’s home Monday in the H Lazy F Trailer Park. Officers allegedly found 431.4 grams of cocaine packaged for distribution along with 394.4 grams of “suspected cutting agent,” according to the release. They also seized more than $7,000 of suspected drug proceeds. Meraz-Godinez was taken into custody along with his wife, Ofelia Meraz, 41.

Meraz-Godinez is charged with four counts of possession of a controlled substance, Schedule II, four counts of possession with the intent to distribute, and four counts of distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance. Ofelia Meraz is also charged with possession of cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute.

Distribution and possession with the intent to distribute are Class 3 felonies, each carrying the potential of four to 12 years in prison and fines between $3,000 and $750,000. Possession is a Class 4 felony; penalties include a range of two to six years in prison and a $2,000 to $500,000 fine.