Pot Distribution Ring Shut Down
DENVER (CBS4)- A marijuana-distribution ring that tried to use Colorado's medical marijuana system as a cover has been busted.
The Colorado Attorney General's Office teamed up with the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force to shut down the ring that used state-issured medical marijuana records in an attempt to conceal its distribution of large quanities of marijuana. The drug was sold to non-patients in northern Colorado and New Mexico between Dec. 2009 and Dec. 2010.
More than 110 pounds of processed marijuana, worth an estimated $375,000, 687 marijuana plants, nine firearms and $175,000 in cash was seized.
""This case reflects a growing trend in Colorado of individuals and organized groups of individuals growing high grade marijuana under the guise of Amendment 20 and blatantly distributing it to anyone willing to pay their price," said Sgt. Gary Shaklee of the Northerolorado Drug Task Force. "As is the case with all drug dealers, this is about greed, plain and simple. Much of the marijuana in this case was knowingly transported out of state where it is resold for as much as $7,000 per pound."
According to the indictment, the grow operations intended to use the records to convince law enforcement they were caregivers acting in compliance with Colorado's medical marijuana laws. Investigators learned that the suspects came to Colorado from New Mexico to use the state's medical marijuana laws as a cover.
Six suspects were arrested, including Richard Caleel, 34, Lakshman Garin, 28, Buck Glanz, 28, Magin Gomez, 30, Micah Krout, 29, Clayton McCann, 28, for allegedly producing marijuana in Erie, Fort Collins, Longmont and Westminster.
Three others are also being sought as part of the drug ring.
All photos below were provided to CBS4 by the Office of the Attorney General.
