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DENVER — Agents with the North Metro Drug Task Force raided 25 homes Wednesday in what authorities describe as a large scale “takedown” of illegal marijuana growers.

According to 17th Judicial District spokeswoman Krista Flannigan, the raids targeted 15 homes in Adams County, three in Broomfield County, four in Denver, one in Weld County, one in Erie and one in Breckenridge.

“Evidence gathered during the investigation demonstrates that much of the marijuana grow was being shipped out of state and was not being produced for medical purposes,” said Flannigan.

16 people have been arrested and countless marijuana plants have been seized.

The charges include Racketeering and Conspiracy under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, Distribution of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana and Money Laundering.

“Evidence gathered during the investigation demonstrates that much of the marijuana grow was being shipped out of state and was not being produced for medical purposes,” said Flannigan.

The names of those arrested were not immediately released.