SEBRING - The case of the first growhouse raided by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office in 2008 was still under investigation on Tuesday, said sheriff's Capt. Randy LaBelle.
LaBelle held back some details in the crime when discussing the case, but said no arrests had been made.
According to LaBelle, the sheriff's office responded to a telephone call from Glades Electric Cooperative Inc. reporting a possible power diversion at 3675 State Road 66.
Deputies discovered an elaborate growhouse set up in a large quonset hut-type shed.
LaBelle said that although between 80 to 90 plants about one foot tall were discovered, the grow house had the potential to produce 500 plants.
Deputies recovered a shot gun during the raid, along with the usual air conditioning units, ballasts, grow lights, extra transformers and irrigation equipment.
Also recovered was a $50,000 commercial generator on a dual-axle trailer that had been reported stolen two years ago by the Hialeah Police Department.
LaBelle said what's ironic is it usually was the other way around with stolen property from Highlands County ending up in the Miami area.
Located on the five-acre property was a three-bedroom, two-bath home, which was not directly used in the grow operation.
From November 2006 to December 2007 the sheriff's office reported taking down 60 growhouses in Highlands County.
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