Brothers Arrested, Accused Of Running Illegal Pot Grow

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EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- Two brothers have been arrested and accused of running an illegal marijuana grow operation in Eagle County.

Police officers teamed up with DEA agents to search the property owned by Theodore and Thomas Archibeque. Theodore was elected at the Eagle County Surveyor in 2014.

Investigators found 28 pot plants and 65 pounds of harvested marijuana on the property on Nov. 1.

Officers also discovered some recently built greenhouses and an airfield.

Theodore and Thomas Archibeque (credit: Eagle County)

Marijuana grow operations are permitted by state law but officials said the operations were in violation of Eagle County and Colorado Department of Revenue Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division regulations.

Bruce Brown, District Attorney, commented in a statement, "Colorado has established a robust system for the cultivation of marijuana. Law enforcement has a responsibility to enforce the laws and detect illegal grows to support the integrity of lawful operations, which includes a collection of tax revenue. Illegal operations disrupt a level playing field, which cannot be where one is subject to regulation and tax, and another where no rules apply. In this situation, the alleged involvement of a publicly elected official reflects poorly on the integrity of an elected office."

Both Archibeques have been charged with knowingly allowing the cultivation/manufacturing of marijuana.