Pueblo seeks state grant money to fight illegal marijuana operations

The Pueblo Police Department is stepping up its effort to fight black market marijuana, but Chief Troy Davenport says they need more money to do it.

Davenport says, “We’ve been a little behind the curve but it’s time to catch up.”

In 2019, the city has busted 12 illegal marijuana grows, but Davenport says he knows there are more out there.

“These cases can oftentimes be complicated, lengthy and require a lot of documentation and so there’s certainly overtime costs connected to it,” he says.

In other communities, illegal marijuana warrants are usually served with care because many times, law enforcement isn’t sure what they’re approaching inside a house.

Another big expense: the equipment used to haul and get rid of the marijuana after it’s been seized.

“Storage capacity is an issue, and of course, tactical vehicles are a very, very expensive item,” Davenport explained.

The Pueblo City Police Department is planning on applying for Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Grant. It’s provided hundreds of thousands of dollars to other communities in the state.

In 2018, Pueblo County received $195,045, and El Paso County received $331,334.

If granted, Davenport already knows what his narcotics team is looking for.

“Our narcotics unit is looking at vehicle called a BearCat. Often times, these situations are dangerous and this is a smaller type of vehicle that we could use to serve these warrants.”

Davenport explains if there’s an opportunity to take some relief off taxpayers, he’s interested.

The applications for 2019 were due March 31.