An Aspen man is being held on suspicion of dealing heroin, federal authorities announced yesterday. The alleged dealer, Ryan Welgos, 30, was arrested June 19 in Silverthorne, authorities said, after buying 15 grams of the narcotic from alleged supplier Nelson Raul-Gamez, 24, of Aurora. They seized 25 grams in total from the men.

The bust culminated a three-month sting operation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT). It was sparked by the March heroin overdose and death of Aspen resident Adam Peterson, who authorities say was killed by drugs Welgos sold him.

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