Colorado Bust of Marijuana Worth $500,000

On September 29, 2009, West Metro Drug Task Force tore apart a marijuana grow operation, not far from Golden Gate State Park.

After hikers came across the plants Saturday evening, they notified the Sheriff's Office. Reports say this is the fourth outdoor grow of this type near Jefferson County, Colorado this summer. Over the course of several hours, over 1,000 marijuana plants were found by Task Force members, and personnel from the Division of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks. Task Force members received air assistance from a Black Hawk helicopter, piloted by the Colorado Air National Guard. The helicopter lifted large bundles of the marijuana to a location where they would be loaded onto vehicles for removal. While nobody was found on the premises, detectives did find a learn-to guide, within a tent that contained food, clothes and other household items. The estimated value of the removed marijuana is believed to be over half a million dollars. Anyone with information about this crime should contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office line at 303-271-5612.