Marijuana Grow Houses Shut Down After Serving Federal Search Warrant
Undercover detectives from the Pasco Sheriff's Office Vice and Narcotics Unit and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office’s federal drug task force dubbed High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area served two Federal search warrants in Pasco County on Monday, July 30, 2007.
Three men were arrested after detectives found two active grow houses and one dismantled grow house. The operation netted a total of 152 marijuana plants and 25 marijuana stalks from three west Pasco County homes.
The grow houses appeared to have some connection but the nature of the relationship is still being investigated. The street value of plants if sold locally could be at least $380,000 according to vice and narcotics Lieutenant Robert Sullivan. The two Federal search warrants served Monday morning were based on information received from the public and a subsequent undercover investigation.
Photo: 152 marijuana plants uncovered in undercover effort involving more than two dozen deputies from Pasco and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Offices.
The first home was approached by the undercover detectives when they served the search warrant at 7:06 a.m. at 9954 Lakeview Drive in rural New Port Richey. A large detached shed/garage on the property is where the grow house was located. The shed looked like a regular work shed, but there was a false back that led to a hidden grow house. Inside the grow house, detectives found 117 potted marijuana plants. Eduardo Vera Aleman, of the same address was arrested for cultivation of marijuana.
The next home was approached at 7:15 a.m. at 9530 Osceola Drive, in rural New Port Richey. This home had two separate grow rooms inside the home: one area was hidden behind a linen closet, the other grow area could be reached by a door in the garage. (see picture) Thirty-five potted marijuana plants were discovered inside these two areas. Upon entering this home, it looked like a normal house with a living room filled with a sofa and regular furniture. The two areas were hidden from the main entryways inside the home. Roberto Miguel Ferro, was arrested at 9830 Sweet Bay Court, New Port Richey for cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana at the 9530 Osceola Drive address.
The undercover teams also approached the home at 9320 Wildwood Avenue at 8:15 a.m. in Hudson and arrested Ricardo Aguila. He consented to a search of his residence. During the search, 25 pounds of marijuana stalks were found in his home. He later admitted to using the home that contained 25 marijuana plants. During the search at the home, dismantled grow house materials such as power sources, air conditioning units, fertilizer, potting soil and transformers were found at the home.
These arrests were the result of efforts from the public noticing suspicious activity and contacting the local Sheriff’s Office. If you have a tip you can call the Pasco Sheriff’s Office Tipsline at 1-800-706-2488. You can leave your name or remain anonymous with your crime-fighting tip.