On August 18, 2016, detectives from Colorado Springs Metro Vice, Narcotics, and Intelligence (VNI) Division, which is a multi-agency drug task force, assisted members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and a member of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations with the execution of three separate search warrants involving illegal residential marijuana grows.  Two of the search warrants were executed within the City of Colorado Springs and one in unincorporated El Paso County.  Items seized in the search included approximately 537 marijuana plants, 3 firearms, ammunition and an undetermined amount of U.S. currency.

During the execution of the search warrants, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations arrested Felipe Hurtado, DOB: 05/01/65, for outstanding felony warrants from the state of Georgia. Charges include Cargo Theft, Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer and Trafficking in Controlled Substances (Schedule II).

All charges are related to the theft of a shipment of approximately 8.9 million hydrocodone tablets in Cartersville, Georgia, which occurred in July 2014, by Hurtado and other members of a criminal organization.  Following the theft of the hydrocodone tablets, Hurtado relocated to the general area of Colorado Springs, Colorado and began to grow marijuana under the pretext of medical marijuana.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is always honored and privileged for the opportunity to provide professional, collaborative support to our law enforcement partners, both locally and nationally.

A mug shot of Hurtado is attached to this Media Release.