PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. — Five people have been arrested after narcotic detectives in Pueblo County found almost 250 marijuana plants at multiple sites across the county.
Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Detectives executed search warrants at five residences in the county as part of a special operation conducted Wednesday.
In total, the plants have an estimated street value of $250,000. Some of them were almost 9 feet tall.
After receiving tips about a possible illegal marijuana grow, the detectives worked with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Colorado Department of Revenue at three homes in Pueblo West, one home in Avondale and one home in Northern Public County, according to the sheriff's office. Four of the five homes had active marijuana grow operations. They were along the:
· 1100 block of E. Gold Rush Lane (73 plants found)
· 1100 block of E. Buffalo Bill Lane (82 plants found)
· 800 block of S. Lupine Court in Pueblo West (36 plants found)
· 49000 block of U.S. Highway 50 East in Avondale (54 plants found)
Each of those homes have been condemned by Pueblo Regional Building due to extensive alterations made to the homes’ electrical systems, the sheriff's office said.
State law allows only 12 marijuana plants per home.
Denis Mahique, 48, was arrested in connection to the E. Gold Rush Lane home. Daylin Rodriguez, 28, was arrested in connection to the Gold Rush Lane home.
At the Lupine Court home, Jose Brigido, 55, was arrested.
Lastly, at the Avondale home, Carlos Garcia-Rodriguez, 56 and Mildrey Rabade Alfonso, 47, were arrested. Detectives also found money purposely and strategically hidden on this property.
The sheriff's office said all five have connections to Cuba.
“The fact we are still finding these types of illegal grows in our community demonstrates the black market is still operating in Pueblo County,” said Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor. “I want to thank our citizens who are reporting when they see any suspicious activity surrounding these illegal grow operations.”
All of the suspects were arrested for cultivation of marijuana and have been booked into the Pueblo County Jail. The sheriff’s office said more arrests will be forthcoming.
Detectives are investigating if there is a connection between the operations.
If you have any information on these crimes — or any others in Pueblo County — call the sheriff’s office at 719-583-6250.