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Highlands Today

Four Arrested In Growhouse Bust

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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: December 5, 2007

AVON PARK — It was about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, when members of the sheriff's drug task force descended upon a house at 205 Ballard Road, arresting four men on felony marijuana charges.

This is the 58th bust of a growhouse since November 2006.

Sheriff's Lt. Randy LaBelle reported, the house which is near the Highlands County border on State Road 64 West, was about 95 percent restored and while evidence of a growhouse operation remained, it was nearly dismantled.

LaBelle said it appeared the four men, whose names have not yet been released, were at the house when sheriff's detectives Dewayne Proctor and Ernie Gelinas along with task force officer Dan Schneider with the Avon Park Police Department knocked at the door to investigate.

A strong odor of marijuana could immediately be detected, LaBelle said.

"They had the plants hanging upside down drying," LaBelle said.

LaBelle estimated the marijuana seized would exceed 25 pounds, which could enhance the charge to trafficking.

This is part of the process that delivers the active drug THC to the plant buds to make the marijuana more potent, he explained.

The grow operation was located in the garage, he said.

A call has been made to Progress Energy to investigate if a power diversion had taken place, LaBelle added. Two vehicles were also seized in the raid.

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