Federal authorities say they arrested two people suspected of having a large marijuana growing operation in the Routt National Forest northeast of Steamboat Springs.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Denver says the suspects are Alfonso Rodriguez-Vazquez and Nestor Fabian Sinaloa-Sinaloa, who are both from Mexico and in the country illegally. They made their first court appearance Monday in federal court.
Authorities say they seized about 1,000 plants and found camping gear on the site of the grow operation.
Federal prosecutors, the Routt County Sheriff's Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations responded after a citizen contacted the U.S. Forest Service about suspicious activity.
The suspects are in custody and due in court Thursday for a detention hearing.
