Pubdate: Sat, 03 Dec 2005
Source: News-Press (FL)
Copyright: 2005 The News-Press
Contact:  http://www.news-press.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1133
Author: Justin St. Clair
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

POLICE RAID GROW HOUSE IN LEHIGH

Marijuana Plants Valued at $300,000

Lee County sheriff's deputies Friday morning uncovered what Sheriff 
Mike Scott called one of the healthiest and most mature marijuana 
grow houses in memory.

"They're so large, they're twist-tied at the top," Scott said as 
narcotics officers rolled 25 plants about 6 feet tall out of the 
house at [location deleted]

Most were supported by stakes, even though the stalks had grown to 
almost an inch thick at the base.

The sheriff's SWAT team entered the house about 6:30 a.m. after a 
month-long investigation and arrested [name deleted] said sheriff's 
Spokesman Angelo Vaughn.

[name deleted] is charged with operating a grow house and armed 
trafficking because an illegal short-barrel shotgun was found in the home.

Vaughn said deputies discovered 289 pounds of marijuana with an 
estimated street value of $300,000. Typically, Vaughn said, the 
plants are taken to an undisclosed location and destroyed.

Scott said [name deleted] lived alone but more arrests are pending as 
the investigation continues.

"He's got to have an outlet for this," Scott said.

This was the eighth grow-house operation disrupted by sheriff's 
deputies in [location deleted] this year, Scott said.

Scott said it was no larger than other recent operations, but he 
marveled at the success growers had nursing large, healthy plants in 
the home's garage.

The power line leading to the house had been tapped to provide extra 
lighting in the garage, and reflective silver sheets on the walls 
intensified the lights.

"It's so bright in there you can't even open your eyes," Scott said.

The plants, in large, plastic planters, were packed in so tightly 
deputies couldn't move about or tell how many were there.

The well-kept house with green Christmas lights strung along the 
front is on a quiet street surrounded mostly by trees, scrub and empty land.

[name deleted] has lived on the street for 27 years.

He said [name deleted] had been there less than a year and kept to himself.

There weren't a lot of cars coming and going or signs that it was a 
drug operation, [name deleted] said.

He said he moved to the area for peace and quiet but knew the risk of 
encountering those who moved there for less savory reasons.

"It surprised me that it's there, but I'm sure they're all over 
Lehigh," [name deleted] said. "I hope the next neighbors don't do that."

Scott said Lehigh's remote areas are attractive to growers and other 
criminals because of the seclusion.

"We've got our ears to the ground out here," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake