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Watch Video342 marijuana plants seized from Springs home
Story By: Mark Hanrahan
Source: KOAA
Published Sun Jan 06, 2008, 08:50 PM MST
Updated Mon Jan 07, 2008, 04:08 PM MST
Colorado Springs police, Saturday night, seized nearly 350 marijuana plants and 3 pounds of refined marijuana from a home at 501 Argus Drive. Police Lieutenant Stephen Tobias says "I would consider that a very large bust for, you know, one night."
Acting on a tip, two Colorado Springs Police officers went to the west-side home at around 9:30 p.m. According to a report filed by the officers, when they knocked on the door they were "struck by an overwhelming smell of raw marijuana." Detectives from vice narcotics and the ATF were called in to assist with the investigation.
A search of the home would net 342 marijuana plants, 3.2 pounds of refined marijuana, 63.1 grams of mushrooms and 161.9 grams of peyote. Three firearms were also found in the house. 31-year-old Anothony Cappiello was arrested; he now faces drug and weapons charges and remains in custody at the El Paso County Criminal Justic Center.
Neighbors in the Skyway neighborhood were surprised to learn about the bust. Laymon Berndsen says, "First of all, it's a big surprise." He lives across the street from Cappiello and says he seemed like a nice guy. "The guys that were over there were always really nice, they even helpled me a few times with gorceries and sidewalks and stuff."
Cappiello, though, is a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal record that lists him as a 'habitual traffic offender.' Since firearms were found in the house, Cappiello could now face federal charges. Lt. Tobias says, "I know ATF is looking at possible federal charges, so yeah, it could be a stiff penalty for sure."
