Detectives executed search warrants at six homes in Pueblo West.[1] Five people were arrested in the bust.[1] Those arrested were Olga Alfonso-Hernandez, 49, Yuriesky Vazquez-Morales, 34, Yordan Medina Del-Sol, 31, Oniel Torna, 50, and Rayda Reyes Martinez, 51.[1] Each person was arrested for possession with intent to dispense marijuana, cultivation of marijuana involving more than 30 plants, and possession of 12 ounces or more of marijuana.[1] Torna was also arrested for suspected child abuse.[1] Bail for Torna was set at 50,000 dollars.[2] Bail for Alfonso Hernandez was set at 40,000 dollars while each of the other three was set at 15,000 dollars.[2]

Detectives seized 340 plants and an estimated 70 pounds of dried marijuana product, plus cash and grow equipment.[1] Authorities put the value of the illegal products at about 1.2 million dollars.[2] Officers found illegal growing operations in five of the six searched houses.[1] The five houses were rented homes belonging to a Colorado Springs man identified as Esam Demian, whose possible involvement had not been established.[2] The county building department closed the five houses because of extensive electrical alterations and carbon dioxide pumped in to boost plant growth.[2]

The investigation began with a tip about a possible illegal-grow syndicate operating out of the six Pueblo West homes.[1] Detectives worked with DEA assistance to execute the warrants.[1] Investigators said the grows were a coordinated operation and believed the marijuana was intended for shipment to Florida.[2] The sheriff’s office described the bust as the largest such operation it had conducted to date.[1]