Marijuana plants, part of an illegal marijuana grow operation, thrive on private property near Rye, Colo., Aug. 15, 2012. Using a UH-60 helicopter equipped with a hoist and nets, Colorado National Guardsmen helped move an estimated 7,000 to 9,000 marijuana plants -- nearly $15 million street value -- from two grow sites in the area. Members of the Colorado National Guard Joint Counter-Drug Task Force's Drug Interdiction section were called to assist the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office move the plants, which are growing in steep terrain that's impassible by motor vehicle. The operation is largest marijuana bust in Pueblo County history and one of the largest ever in Colorado. Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk Taylor led a multi-agency operation known as "Operation Flypaper" to extricate the marijuana grows. The teams involved were the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, Narcotics Division, Special Weapons And Tactics team, the Special Tactics And Techniques team, and Emergency Services Bureau; the Pueblo Police Department’s SWAT team, and Narcotics Unit; the Forest Service; and the CO-JCDTF. The grows are located on private property bordering the San Isabel National Forest.
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