Authorities Bust Almost 50 Growhouses

AVON PARK - The Highlands County Sheriff's Drug Taskforce inched closer to taking down what could be growhouse No. 50 on Wednesday evening, the first at 45 N. Riverdale Road and the second at 18 Disney Blvd., both in Avon Park.

Sheriff's Capt. Randy LaBelle said Thursday he's lost count of how many growhouses his unit has busted since November.

"I know we're getting close to number 50," LaBelle said Thursday.
At the latest growhouse, investigators seized two vehicles and about $23,900 in cash and narcotics equipment, LaBelle said.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, investigators contacted homeowners Marta Elaine Hernandez, 31, and Michel Hernandez, 32, of 45 Riverdale Road, Avon Park.

Both were arrested on charges of marijuana production, marijuana trafficking in excess of 25 pounds or 300 marijuana plants or more, and possession of narcotics equipment.

Marta Hernandez gave detectives permission to search the property, where the active indoor growhouse operation reportedly was located.

Detectives found 25 mature marijuana plants weighing more than 25 pounds. The plants were between 5 feet to 7 feet tall, LaBelle said.

As with many growhouses dismantled in the past, deputies seized air conditioners, 1,000-watt grow light bulbs, irrigation and electrical systems, ballasts, foam insulation, outlets, timers and reflective mylar material to help the plants grow.

Two hours later, detectives hit 18 Disney Blvd., finding 24 more marijuana plants in a mother-in-law quarters about 20 feet from the main house.

The plants were growing under 1,000-watt grow lights mounted into the ceiling. There was an air conditioner timed to turn on and off keeping the room at a certain temperature. The entire room was lined with insulation board.

Jose Miguel Rosales, 39, of 18 Disney Blvd., Avon Park, was booked into the Highlands County Jail on charges of marijuana production, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of narcotics equipment.

He told investigators he had been living at the residence for about a year. Detectives, deputies and county maintenance workers worked into the early morning hours dismantling the equipment and collecting evidence.

LaBelle did not know Thursday if the two homes were linked in any way even though they were near each other.

"You could see the one house from the other," LaBelle said. "They were very close."

Both Marta and Michel Hernandez remained in jail ordered to be held without bond on the trafficking charges and $1,500 on the remaining charges. Rosales was being held on $16,000 bond Thursday.