Pubdate: Sat, 29 Dec 2007
Source: Star-Banner, The (Ocala, FL)
Copyright: 2007 The Star-Banner
Contact:  http://www.starbanner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1533
Author: Austin L. Miller, Star-Banner
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 (Marijuana)

BUST NETS 171 MARIJUANA PLANTS; A 'GROWING' TREND

Deputies Nab Two Suspects, One Gets Away; Officials See Increase in Grow Houses

MARION OAKS - Marion County sheriff's deputies dismantled a marijuana 
grow house Thursday night containing 171 marijuana plants with an 
estimated street value of approximately $200,000, and arrested two of 
three men seen fleeing the area.

The third man, who reportedly was seen discarding a .38-caliber 
revolver, managed to escape, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

Two of the men - [redacted] - were arrested on charges of cultivating 
marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest 
without violence, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Officials with the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Agency, who are 
familiar with the case, said [redacted] are from Cuba. Since the 
beginning of the year, they said, local drug agents have seen not 
only a significant increase in marijuana grow houses, but also those 
arrested increasingly have moved from South Florida to Central Florida.

Agents believe the move is fueled in part by the area's rural 
atmosphere, which they said acts as cover for illegal activities.

 From January to September 2007, agents have seized 2,804 plants 
worth an estimated $2.9 million. According to officials, it's very 
expensive to finance, set up and operate grow houses. However, once 
established and properly maintained, such an operation can be lucrative.

Marijuana typically sells for $500 to $600 a pound. For 
hydroponically grown marijuana, which has a higher level of potency, 
the cost can reach $3,000 to $6,000 a pound.

Growers use 1,000-watt light bulbs to serve as light for the plants. 
With that much heat, more than one air conditioning unit is used to 
cool the area, and fans are strategically placed to keep air flowing. 
Before power gets to the home's meter, it is diverted to the grow 
house. This prevents utility companies from detecting large amounts 
of power running to one home. Timers are installed in grow houses to 
regulate light and water.

Deputies had gone to [redacted], after receiving a report of a 
suspicious vehicle. The person making the report said the home may 
have been burglarized. At the home, deputies saw the windows were 
painted white, were blocked with foil and had bright light shining 
around the edges, according to the report. They suspected it could be 
a marijuana-growing operation.

When a deputy rang the doorbell, they heard a noise from the back of 
the house. Officials then saw three men running through the backyard 
into some woods and a helicopter and police dog were called in to 
help search for them.

Another deputy saw three men leaving the woods on the north side of 
the house, and [redacted] were apprehended.

Inside the house, investigators say they discovered 171 marijuana 
plants. The home reportedly had special lighting and watering 
systems, and the walls were covered with foil-coated foam boards. 
Almost every room had marijuana plants growing in pots, and water 
lines had been installed on the floor to water them.

The kitchen area had many large containers of plant food used to 
fertilize the marijuana, authorities said. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake