Three tons of pot equipment, trash dumped near Rifle

RIFLE, Colo. – More than 6,000 pounds of equipment and trash believed to be associated with an indoor marijuana growing operation was discovered last week dumped illegally in Estes Gulch, near Rifle.

A Bureau of Land Management ranger discovered the dump last week. Estes Gulch is six miles north of Rifle, just east of Highway 13.

BLM hazardous materials specialists cleaned up the site on Thursday and Friday, with assistance from ECOS Environmental and Disaster Restoration of Carbondale.

BLM officials believe the grow equipment and trash was dumped over the past two months, according to a press release from the BLM. BLM has discovered other illegal dumps have been found at the same site over the past year.

Items that were reportedly dumped include bagged potting soil, fertilizer containers, venting equipment and trash associated with an indoor marijuana growing operation.

“There can be environmental and human health risks associated with these illegal dumps from hazardous pesticides, fertilizers and unknown liquids and powders,” said BLM Colorado River Valley Field Manager Steve Bennett.

The BLM warns that similar dumping on public lands could be found. Anyone who finds an illegal dump site should not enter the site because of the potential hazards. Instead, they should call the BLM office in Silt at 876-9008.

Garfield County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that will lead to the arrest or indictment of the suspect or suspects. To provide information, call Crimestoppers at 945-0101 or visit http://www.garcocrimestoppers.com and click on “Report a Tip.”