Pueblo County executed the largest marijuana bust in Colorado history Tuesday when three family members were arrested for cultivating 609 plants and possessing over 50 pounds of dried marijuana, according to the Denver Post.

A tip was received from neighbors that a strong cannabis odor was coming from a house nearby. Authorities investigated the scent around 7 p.m. when they met Douglas Radosti, who claimed to have a medical marijuana card. The card permitted the cultivation of 18 plants, but the officers requested to investigate the grow operation.

Radosti refused to let authorities inside so they returned the following day at 1 p.m. with a search warrant. Soon after the officers realized they would be making marijuana history.

When discovered, the plants appeared as if they had been recently chopped down. Investigators suspect family members cut the plants down the night before in attempt to hide the operation. Radosti and his wife, Stephanie Radosti, 52, were arrested for cultivation, conspiracy to distribute and evidence tampering.

The bust was one of 12 so far, all a part of the Pueblo “crack-down” on illegal grow operations. To read more about the bust, check out the full story. 

Collegian Green Report Blogger Capelli D’Angelo can be reached online at blogs@collegian.com.