Custer County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO)
—October 2, 2018
Press Release
On Tuesday, October 2, 2018, Custer County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Colorado State Patrol, executed a search warrant on 1089 County Road 310 in rural Westcliffe on a suspected Illegal Marijuana Grow. The search resulted in the arrest of two Cuban Nationals, 35-year-old Serguey Recondo Palomino and 35-year-old Yenny Pena Hernandez.

In the search of the property, 125 Marijuana plants, Cocaine, a large amount of Drug Paraphernalia, Marijuana growing equipment, and one trailer used for transporting Marijuana were seized. The Illegal Marijuana was being grown in the basement of the residence and in a detached metal building on the property. Both parties were charged with illegal cultivation of Marijuana, and child abuse. Palomino was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Palomino is being held in the Custer County Jail and Hernandez was transported to the Fremont County Jail. ICE authorities were also notified of the
arrests and are investigating both parties.
The couple has an 11-year-old son who was at school during the execution of the search warrant which the Department of Human Services placed with a temporary foster home. Two Pit Bulls on the property were transported to the Humane Shelter in Cañon City where they will be held pending completion of the investigation.
This residence was previously the target of an Illegal Marijuana seizure in 2015 by the Custer County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Agents. Parties arrested are suspected to have ties to drug cartels out of Florida.
The Custer County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend their appreciation to the Custer County Planning and Zoning Department, Department of Human Services, Wet Mountain Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services and Custer County Road and Bridge for their assistance in this operation.
For further information contact Sheriff Shannon Byerly or Undersheriff Chris Barr at 719-783-2270.