Man pleads not guilty in Colorado to smuggling millions of dollars worth of drugs from Mexico

Man pleads not guilty in Colo. to smuggling drugs

DENVER — A man charged with helping smuggle millions of dollars worth of cocaine from Mexico to the United States has pleaded not guilty in Denver federal court.

Oscar Arriola Marquez appeared in court Tuesday on charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, attempted conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and money laundering. He is accused of using a remote Colorado ranch to store hundreds of pounds of cocaine headed to major U.S. cities.

He is being held without bail. He faces 10 years to life in prison if convicted.

Arriola Marquez was indicted in 2003 and arrested in Mexico in 2006. He was extradited to Colorado last week.

His brother, Miguel, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and is awaiting sentencing.