Starting at 6 a.m. on 25 January 2012, officers from the DEA and other agencies raided 25 homes in Denver and nearby cities in an investigation called Operation Sweet Leaf, seizing more than 1,000 plants and arresting about a dozen people on the first day.[1] Seven children found in the homes were turned over to social services.[1]
The North Metro Drug Task Force said the 25 grow houses included homes in Brighton, Thornton, Broomfield, Denver and Breckenridge, many of them used only for growing.[2] Much of the marijuana was mailed out of state through the US Postal Service to buyers in California, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas.[2]
In total officers reported 2,749 plants, 147.55 pounds (about 66.9 kg) of dried marijuana, 40 guns, over $278,000 in US cash, 15 million Iraqi dinar and five silver bars.[2] Sixteen arrest warrants were issued and the suspects faced 69 state charges including racketeering, conspiracy, marijuana distribution and money laundering.[2][1]
