Three individuals with connections to Miami were arrested in Teller County this week for their involvement in two illegal marijuana grow operations. Authorities suspect that these busts are part of a larger criminal organization involved in shipping illegal marijuana out of Colorado.
In total, more than 35 pounds of processed marijuana and over 200 pounds of marijuana plants were seized during the operation.
The Teller County Sheriff’s Office conducted the raids on Thursday, executing search warrants at two locations: 245 Maid Marian Drive near Divide and 88 Empire Drive, just south of Florissant.
At the Maid Marian Drive site, authorities arrested two individuals on felony drug charges. Investigators discovered 25 pounds of dried, processed marijuana and evidence indicating a large-scale illegal distribution operation inside the residence.
Following the raid on Maid Marian Drive, investigators were led to a grow operation on Empire Drive near Florissant. At that location, they found around 15 pounds of dried processed marijuana and an elaborate illegal cultivation setup in the basement, which contained dozens of plants reaching heights of up to seven feet.
The live plants weighed more than 200 pounds in total. Jorge Canela, who had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant in Teller County, was arrested and is expected to face felony charges. A female present at the scene was detained but later released. Canela, who also has ties to Miami, told deputies he was heading back to the city when apprehended.
According to the sheriff’s office, information gathered at the Empire Drive site may lead to additional search and arrest warrants as the investigation progresses. It is unclear whether the arrests made on Thursday are connected to those from January 24 in Teller County, but all individuals taken into custody on Thursday are linked to the same drug trafficking organization.
Investigators believe both locations are connected to a larger criminal network that is responsible for shipping illegally grown marijuana out of Colorado.
