Pueblo detectives find illegal marijuana grow worth an estimated $885,000

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Pueblo County Sheriff's narcotics detectives found a large illegal marijuana grow at a St. Charles Mesa home. One person was arrested in connection with the grow.

On Wednesday, detectives went to a home in the 1100 block of 21st lane after receiving a tip of a possible large marijuana grow at the home. Detectives contacted the resident, later identified as Peixin Chen, who agreed to let authorities into the home.

During that visit, detectives saw what appeared to be hundreds of marijuana plants in various stages of growth.

State law only allows 12 marijuana plants per household. Detectives left and sought a search warrant.

After obtaining the warrant, with assistance from the Colorado Bureau of Investigations, detectives found 845 marijuana plants, worth an estimated $885,000, in the home and a detached warehouse building on the property. They also found 40 pounds of dried marijuana product and approximately $23,000 in cash.

Detectives arrested Chen for the cultivation of marijuana, which is 30 plants or more. He was booked into the Pueblo County Jail.

Pueblo Regional Building responded and condemned the warehouse due to major altercations made to the electrical system.

This investigation is ongoing.