TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Growhouse Busts Continue

ADVERTISEMENT

By Dan  Fearson | Highlands Today

Published: February 23, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Six Lake Placid residents of Cuban citizenship were arrested Thursday in three separate growhouse busts by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., deputies arrived at the residence of Cesar T. Zamora, 36, and Yelenys P. Ledea, at their home on 447 Pershing Ave., suspecting a marijuana growhouse operation.

When deputies entered the home, they located a room with 84 marijuana plants , along with light bulbs, a climate control system, irrigation and electrical systems used to grow plants.

Deputies also found a plastic bag containing numerous marijuana plants and plant clippings inside of a shed, located behind the home.

According to an arrest report provided by the sheriff's office, Zamora said that he was responsible for growing the marijuana located in the home.

Ledea claimed to have no knowledge of the operation, although deputies charged her in connection to the crimes because they suspected that she had to have knowledge because of their obvious nature.

Deputies were also notified by the Glades Electric Company that there was an illegal power diversion at the home, used to keep a large amount of electricity needed to run a grow house operation.

A spokesman for Glades Electric estimated the theft of electricity to be valued at $7,700.

Zamora and Ledea were both charged with grand theft of more than $5,000 but less than $10,000, marijuana production, marijuana trafficking in excess of 25 pounds or more than 300 plants, and narcotics equipment possession.

Both are being held in the Highlands County Jail without bond.

Another Bust Nets Two

At approximately 6 p.m., on Thursday, deputies responded to the home of Ramiero L. Castillo, 25, and Dailin B. Diaz, 22, of 1022 Oriole St., Lake Placid, in reference to another grow house operation.

Once inside the home, deputies found 40 marijuana plants located inside an insulated room, with 1000-watt light bulbs, an irrigation system, ballasts, timers, outlets and an air conditioning system.

Deputies also noted that electricity was being stolen and routed into the home by an underground power line, which was illegally cut and spliced.

Progress Energy Officials noted that the theft and diversion of power into the home cost the company approximately $16,525.

According to an arrest report, Castillo reportedly told deputies that he had been residing at the home for three months, and that he had been growing marijuana for 10 to 15 days.

Diaz admitted to living at the home for a month.

Both suspects were charged with grand theft of more than $10,000 but less than $20,000, marijuana production, marijuana trafficking in excess of 25 pounds or more than 300 plants, narcotics equipment possession, and the theft of a utility or cable service. Both suspects are being held in the jail without bond.

Duplex Resident Charged

Rounding out Thursday's grow house effort was the arrest of Daniel Valle-Gil, 52, of Lake Placid, who was charged with marijuana production, marijuana trafficking in excess of 25 pounds or more than 300 plants, and narcotics equipment possession.

According to an arrest report, deputies searched Valle-Gil's duplex, located at 114 and 116 Barbara Ave. N.W., in Lake Placid, finding 40 marijuana plants, an irrigation system, ballasts, timers, outlets, and an air conditioning system.

Following his arrest, Valle-Gil reportedly confessed to deputies that he was responsible for the grow house operation in the home. Valle-Gil is being held in jail without bond.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT