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Deputies Bust Marijuana Operation

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By LISA A. DAVIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 8, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Another marijuana grow house operation has been shut down by the Pasco County sheriff's Vice Narcotics Unit.

Acting on a search warrant Tuesday night, deputies went into a home at 8505 Ehren Cutoff and discovered it was modified to grow marijuana, according to a report.

Drywall covered the home's windows, and grow lights, several air-conditioning units and an irrigation system were in use.

About 55 plants ranging from 4 to 7 feet tall were found inside, the report states.
Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative workers confirmed what deputies thought: Whoever set up the operation had bypassed the meter and was stealing the electricity, the report states.

No one was home when the house was searched.

A day later, Raidel Coredero Artigas, 26, contacted the sheriff's office and admitted that he started growing marijuana about three months ago and planned to sell his harvest, according to the report.

He reportedly also told a detective he had modified the home and tapped into the electrical service.

Artigas was arrested on charges of cultivation of marijuana and theft of utility services.

He was released from the Land O' Lakes Jail late Wednesday after posting $10,000 bail.

Growing operations have been popping up in Pasco in the past couple of years, and they are becoming more sophisticated, sheriff's officials have said.

Many times, growers steal electricity because utility workers are trained to notice unusually high electricity use.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or at ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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