$2.5M Restitution Ordered In Colorado Black Market Marijuana Case

Denver CO

16 November, 2020

4:21 PM

Description

Four investors who were defrauded in a black-market marijuana trafficking scheme have been awarded nearly $2.5 million, the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office announced Monday. Scott Pack, 42, was convicted in February of racketeering and conspiracy, securities fraud and conspiracy to cultivate marijuana. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Pack ran a massive, multi-million dollar marijuana trafficking organization in Colorado, the DA's office said. After a two-day hearing, Arapahoe District Court Judge Michael Spear ordered the $2.5 million in restitution. Pack was indicted in 2017 along with 19 others after an investigation that began in 2016. Law enforcement found an illegal marijuana operation in Elizabeth that included 845 marijuana plants worth more than $5 million, the DA's office said. The discovery was the beginning of an investigation that uncovered a major drug trafficking organization that was involved in illegally cultivating, processing and distributing marijuana and marijuana products to at least five states, authorities said. The organization produced "well over" 300 pounds of marijuana each month at sites in Denver, Elizabeth and Colorado Springs, the DA's office said. The distribution was arranged and executed throughout Arapahoe, Douglas and Elbert counties, and other locations along the Front Range. Don't miss the latest news updates in Colorado. Sign up for free Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily. Investigators said the organization used the guise of a licensed and legal business – Harmony & Green and various iterations — to cultivate and distribute marijuana illegally. Harmony & Green never produced any marijuana that was legally sold. "It is fitting that Pack's insatiable greed and disregard for Colorado's laws has now resulted in the law divesting him of much of his ill-gotten gains," said George Brauchler, 18th Judicial District Attorney. "This is a significant amount of money to pay in restitution, even for a rich California kid who lives at his parents' property. I am pleased the victims will be provided some of what was taken from them." Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office.