Pubdate: Sat, 03 May 2008 Source: News-Press (Fort Myers, FL) Copyright: 2008 The News-Press Contact: http://www.news-press.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1133 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/grow+operations KEEP UP GROW HOUSE CAMPAIGN Let's hope this week's statewide crackdown on indoor marijuana growing is just the beginning of coordinated action against what is no doubt a coordinated and growing threat. Lee County has earned the unwelcome distinction as the No. 2 county in Florida for indoor pot production, behind only Miami-Dade. Local law enforcement is eagerly pursuing this campaign, but it clearly needs state resources and teamwork. Raids Wednesday involved 45 counties, with 9,200 marijuana plants confiscated with a value of almost $37 million. The 10 arrested in Lee ranked third-highest in the sweep; the county was fourth in houses closed and plants confiscated. Good for the authorities for attacking this plague vigorously. Southwest Florida could easily become South Florida's indoor marijuana field, but the activity is reaching epidemic proportions all over Florida. Welcome legislation is on its way to the governor making prosecution of indoor growing easier and tougher. This industry brings with it violence and fear, corrosive influences in communities already struggling with a weak economy and blight. Lots of big, tough-to-police subdivisions like Lehigh Acres with scattered housing - including some empty because of the housing crisis - make Lee attractive to growers. All 10 houses closed Wednesday in Lee County were in Lehigh. Charlotte County also figured prominently in Wednesday's raid. This battle is only beginning. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin