FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Deputies Responding to Fire Discover 100lbs of Marijuana
--Estimated Retail Value nearly Half a Million Dollars
Contact: Susan Lilly, Public Information Officer 970-729-2028
susanl@sanmiguelsheriff.org
December 1, 2016 – (Norwood, CO) – San Miguel Sheriff’s Deputies responding to a report of an uncontrolled fire and smoke at a residence outside of Norwood last month unexpectedly found more than 100lbs of marijuana.
Deputies say upon arrival to the November 18th call, they found six individuals processing more than 100lbs of marijuana buds, with an estimated retail value of more than four-hundred thousand dollars, according to local licensed marijuana store owners contacted by Deputies. The Deputies obtained a search warrant for the area and seized the cannabis.
The man claiming ownership of the marijuana told Deputies the 100lbs was for his personal medical use to alleviate back pain. He was found to hold a permit from a physician to possess 32 ounces of cannabis, which was returned to him by the Sheriff’s Office in accordance with Colorado law.
Sheriff Bill Masters said, “There are legal ways to grow, process and distribute marijuana. It does not appear this man was in compliance with those laws.”
The reported smoke, which could be seen from several miles away, was a result of the people at the residence burning left over cannabis plant stalks. No arrests were made, and the case has been referred to the District Attorney’s Office.
###
The San Miguel Sheriff’s Office, located in Telluride, Colorado and established in 1883, serves 7,800 residents and countless visitors across the 1,288 square miles of San Miguel County. Sheriff Bill Masters has been serving as the county’s elected Sheriff since 1980.