Deputies Seize 81 Pounds Of Marijuana En Route To Pueblo

PUEBLO – A huge drug bust for Pueblo County Officials was announced Monday, and it could uncover a possible new trend here in Southern Colorado.

Two arrests have been made in connection to the bust. 27-year old Justin Lucas Wetnight and 23-year old Ignacio Martinez were arrested for possession with the intent to distribute. Investigators tell NEWSCHANNEL 13 that Martinez was released after posting his $75,000 bond. Wetnight remains in custody, his bond is set at $50,000.

“Narcotics officers were able to intercept and seize 81 pounds of packaged, suspected marijuana with a traffic stop on 1-25 in North Pueblo County,” explained J.R. Hall, the Under-sheriff for Pueblo County.

When officers pulled over 27-year old Justin Wetnight, they knew exactly what they were looking for.

“There was about 3 months worth of investigative work put into it,” said Hall.

What surprised officers, was the direction that the massive delivery of marijuana was coming from.

“In this particular case it was unusual,” explained Hall. “A shipment of marijuana was headed to Pueblo from Colorado Springs.”

It was headed South…the opposite path that drugs usually take through Colorado.

“A large supply is coming from our Northern Cities and traveling south,” said Hall. “Now what does this mean? We’ll have to see if any trends develop.”

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s office says that about $130,000 of narcotics was seized. They also say that with this bust, they hope to make a statement that possession of Marijuana will not be taken lightly.

According to the office of Juvenile Justice, in neighborhoods where Marijuana is most available, kids are almost 4 times more likely to join gangs.