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A homeowner renting out a property on Westbank Road was hoping to interest a buyer in the home, but instead he was shocked to discover his renter's elaborate indoor marijuana-growing operation.
One of the renters of the home, Julia Lynn Jundt, 48, was arrested by the Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team and the Garfield County Sheriff's Office on Nov. 30 for cultivation of marijuana, conspiracy to cultivate marijuana and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. She was transported to Garfield County Jail on $5,000 bond, which was posted for her release on Dec. 1. Jundt's husband, Steven Jundt, may also face charges, although the case is still under investigation, Sheriff Lou Vallario said.
According to an arrest affidavit, homeowner John Hazen was planning to show the three-story, light brown stucco home to a potential buyer when he discovered a room in the basement that was "sheetrocked over."
"They sheetrocked and framed in where the door is so it looked like there was never a door there," Hazen said.
He said he was suspicious because he had previously heard a rumor that there was a marijuana plant in the house, that's why he decided to kick through the sheetrock and check out what was on the other
"I was dumbfounded - it was a factory," he said.
He called the police and said he was inspecting the home per lease agreement when he removed the sheetrock concealing the secret marijuana grow-room, according to the arrest affidavit.
Large operation
A deputy wrote in the affidavit that Julia Jundt said she wanted to "cooperate in any way possible." Jundt said the deputy was there because she "had a little garden in the basement." She signed a written consent to search form, and later said she wanted to "withdraw her consent" to the search after a deputy read Jundt her rights, according to the affidavit.
Sheriff's deputies found 73 live marijuana plants in various stages of maturity in a "hydroponic-type" growing system. When the sheetrock facade was still in place, the grow room could only be accessed through a hidden trapdoor cut through a bedroom closet floor.
Law enforcement estimated the "large amount" of cultivation equipment could grow 400 to 500 plants. They also found drug paraphernalia, pots, fertilizers, lighting equipment and a ventilation system with duct work designed specifically for the grow operation.
"What's most significant about this is that it is a very elaborate grow operation and could have grown several hundred plants," Vallario said. He added that grow operations of that magnitude are not found in the area very often.
"This isn't a couple people growing weed in their kitchen window," he said, describing it as an "organized drug trafficking operation."
Hazen described a giant air filter in a custom-built ventilation system with duct work. He said the filter was about 5-feet tall by 3-feet wide. The extensive work done on the grow room appeared to be very professional, he added.
"The equipment they had was unbelievable," Hazen said. "This is a high production deal. They've been working a while on this."
Harvest plan
Deputies also said they found a detailed growing plan with different harvest dates for the various crops and a ledger with costs and expenses related to the operation. They also found a handwritten letter to Jundt's daughter with instructions on how to care for the marijuana and the proper amounts of fertilizer to be used, according to a search warrant affidavit.
Hazen said he had "just never heard much" from the Jundts as tenants, but that Julia recently told him in an e-mail that she counseled youths who were in trouble with the law and that there may be police officers around as part of the program. But the e-mail did not mention any specific company or program Jundt may have worked for, Hazen added.
Jundt said she is an alternative healer with a biochemistry degree and that she grew many herbs with medicinal purposes that had benefited people throughout the valley. She added that she had a medicinal marijuana permit in California, but had not yet received one in Colorado. She does not agree with marijuana laws.
"I believe that is an herb and it is a plant that has medicinal properties," she said. "This was not a marijuana distribution factory here," she said.
Jundt also said she worked independently with kids on art projects, some of which were on display in an auction hosted by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. She said kids need attention, devotion, love and guidance.
"All I can do is be who I am and continue to live and ignore judgment," Jundt said.
Jundt is due back in court on Jan. 10.
Newshawk: User - 420 Magazine
Source: postindependent.com
Pubdate: 5 December 2006
Author: Pete Fowler
Copyright: 2006 postindependent.com
Contact: Glenwood Springs Post Independent - Frontpage
Website: Glenwood Springs Post Independent - Frontpage
One of the renters of the home, Julia Lynn Jundt, 48, was arrested by the Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team and the Garfield County Sheriff's Office on Nov. 30 for cultivation of marijuana, conspiracy to cultivate marijuana and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. She was transported to Garfield County Jail on $5,000 bond, which was posted for her release on Dec. 1. Jundt's husband, Steven Jundt, may also face charges, although the case is still under investigation, Sheriff Lou Vallario said.
According to an arrest affidavit, homeowner John Hazen was planning to show the three-story, light brown stucco home to a potential buyer when he discovered a room in the basement that was "sheetrocked over."
"They sheetrocked and framed in where the door is so it looked like there was never a door there," Hazen said.
He said he was suspicious because he had previously heard a rumor that there was a marijuana plant in the house, that's why he decided to kick through the sheetrock and check out what was on the other
"I was dumbfounded - it was a factory," he said.
He called the police and said he was inspecting the home per lease agreement when he removed the sheetrock concealing the secret marijuana grow-room, according to the arrest affidavit.
Large operation
A deputy wrote in the affidavit that Julia Jundt said she wanted to "cooperate in any way possible." Jundt said the deputy was there because she "had a little garden in the basement." She signed a written consent to search form, and later said she wanted to "withdraw her consent" to the search after a deputy read Jundt her rights, according to the affidavit.
Sheriff's deputies found 73 live marijuana plants in various stages of maturity in a "hydroponic-type" growing system. When the sheetrock facade was still in place, the grow room could only be accessed through a hidden trapdoor cut through a bedroom closet floor.
Law enforcement estimated the "large amount" of cultivation equipment could grow 400 to 500 plants. They also found drug paraphernalia, pots, fertilizers, lighting equipment and a ventilation system with duct work designed specifically for the grow operation.
"What's most significant about this is that it is a very elaborate grow operation and could have grown several hundred plants," Vallario said. He added that grow operations of that magnitude are not found in the area very often.
"This isn't a couple people growing weed in their kitchen window," he said, describing it as an "organized drug trafficking operation."
Hazen described a giant air filter in a custom-built ventilation system with duct work. He said the filter was about 5-feet tall by 3-feet wide. The extensive work done on the grow room appeared to be very professional, he added.
"The equipment they had was unbelievable," Hazen said. "This is a high production deal. They've been working a while on this."
Harvest plan
Deputies also said they found a detailed growing plan with different harvest dates for the various crops and a ledger with costs and expenses related to the operation. They also found a handwritten letter to Jundt's daughter with instructions on how to care for the marijuana and the proper amounts of fertilizer to be used, according to a search warrant affidavit.
Hazen said he had "just never heard much" from the Jundts as tenants, but that Julia recently told him in an e-mail that she counseled youths who were in trouble with the law and that there may be police officers around as part of the program. But the e-mail did not mention any specific company or program Jundt may have worked for, Hazen added.
Jundt said she is an alternative healer with a biochemistry degree and that she grew many herbs with medicinal purposes that had benefited people throughout the valley. She added that she had a medicinal marijuana permit in California, but had not yet received one in Colorado. She does not agree with marijuana laws.
"I believe that is an herb and it is a plant that has medicinal properties," she said. "This was not a marijuana distribution factory here," she said.
Jundt also said she worked independently with kids on art projects, some of which were on display in an auction hosted by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. She said kids need attention, devotion, love and guidance.
"All I can do is be who I am and continue to live and ignore judgment," Jundt said.
Jundt is due back in court on Jan. 10.
Newshawk: User - 420 Magazine
Source: postindependent.com
Pubdate: 5 December 2006
Author: Pete Fowler
Copyright: 2006 postindependent.com
Contact: Glenwood Springs Post Independent - Frontpage
Website: Glenwood Springs Post Independent - Frontpage
