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2nd Defendant Pleads Guilty In Federal Marijuana Case

By Rick Sallinger

DENVER (CBS4)- The second of four defendants in a high profile federal drug case has pleaded guilty. The case is centering on whether money from Colombia has illegally infiltrated Colorado's legalized marijuana industry.

Luis Uribe, an American citizen could now be called on to testify against his brother Gerardo after agreeing to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney.

Luis Uribe, Gerardo Uribe
Brothers Luis Uribe, left, and Gerardo Uribe, right (credit: CBS)

Luis Uribe agreed to forfeit more than $800,000 in cash, numerous cars, and watches.

It was November of 2013 when federal agents conducted a series of raids on medical marijuana dispensaries and grow facilities including VIP wellness at Federal and Alameda in Denver.

Hector Diaz (credit: Department of Justice)
Hector Diaz (credit: Department of Justice)

Four people were arrested including Colombian Hector Diaz. He pleaded guilty earlier this year. He was famously pictured in a photo wearing a Drug Enforcement Administration hat and holding weapons.

David Furtado
David Furtado (credit: CBS)

Denver attorney David Furtado is still charged with taking money from Colombia to be put into a business as a front to buy a marijuana grow facility.

CBS4 Investigator Rick Sallinger spoke previously with a woman who was to be a witness in the case against Furtado.

Rick Sallinger
CBS4 Investigator Rick Sallinger interviews a witness who doesn't want her identity shown (credit: CBS)

She said, "I feel that i was drug into something i should not have been drug into. I feel i was taken advantage of financially as well as many other ways."

Furtado has asked to have his charges dismissed because the State of Colorado has legalized marijuana. It remains illegal under federal law. Gerardo Uribe's case is still pending.

Under the plea agreement Luis Uribe is to spend 45 days in jail and a year on probation.

CBS4's Rick Sallinger is a Peabody award winning reporter who has been with the station more than two decades doing hard news and investigative reporting. Follow him on Twitter @ricksallinger.

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