Four people were arrested after authorities discovered a marijuana growing and distribution operation that spanned about 100 acres in rural Elbert county, authorities said today.
A search of the property — which included numerous grow sites near buildings and hidden among trees and rock outcroppings, as well as in greenhouses — turned up 140 pounds of refined marijuana and 26 plants, police said.
Police say large quantities of marijuana being grown and packaged on the property was taken to the Chicago area for distribution there.
Proceeds were then brought back to Elbert County.
Daniel Haggerty, Matthew M. Tunzi and Anthony M. Munizzi all were charged with cannabis trafficking, unlawful delivery of cannabis and possession of cannabis, police said.
Police did not disclose the ages or addresses of the people arrested, or the address of the Elbert County property.
The joint investigation between Colorado Springs police, Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration out of Chicago started in March, when the DEA conducted surveillance on several suspects and locations in Colorado Springs after learning marijuana found in the Chicago area was coming from Colorado.
A search warrant conducted at 2745 Oro Blanco Drive in Colorado Springs turned up 42 marijuana plants and a grow operation that could accommodate about 500 plants, police said.
In November, investigators set up a controlled operation in which 50 pounds of marijuana was picked up and taken from Colorado Springs to Chicago.
The suspect in that transaction was then linked to the Elbert County property, police said.
