Teller County, CO, On August 1, 2019, at approximately 8:00 AM, deputies from the Teller County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Cripple Creek Police Department attached to the Teller County Narcotics Team (TNT) executed a search warrant at 116 Pikes Peak Ave in the city limits of Cripple Creek. This location is within 500 feet of Cripple Creek High School.
The search warrant was the result of an investigation by members of TNT into two residents who were allegedly growing marijuana and then shipping it out of state to various locations, including to persons in Texas and Florida. Packages of marijuana were being shipped in United States Postal Service (USPS) boxes. It appears this illegal activity had been going on for quite some time.
Narcotics team members seized 43 plants (31 plants over the legal limit), multiple pounds of processed marijuana, seven firearms, three vehicles, and evidence of an illegal multi-state distribution operation.
Michael Gravino, Sr.Michael Gravino, Jr., 40, and Michael Gravino, Sr., 64, both of Cripple Creek were arrested. Both men are charged with Offenses Related to Marijuana, a drug felony two, and Special Drug Offender, a drug felony one. Each is being held in the Teller County Jail on a $50,000.00 bond.
TNT will be working the with United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to determine if additional federal charges are appropriate. Anyone with information on either person arrested or who may be a witness to this investigation is asked to call the Teller County Sheriff’s Office. You can remain anonymous by leaving a message on our tip line.
Teller County Sheriff’s Office
11400 US HWY 24 | Divide, Colorado 80814
