TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Detectives: Pot-Growing Warehouses Behind Palm Harbor Plaza

News Channel 8 photo by CHIP OSOWSKI

Search warrants were executed at the five units behind the Four Seasons Plaza, 39070 U.S. 19 N., sheriff’s officials said.

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHIP OSOWSKI | News Channel 8
and STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 9, 2009

Updated: 03/09/2009 10:47 am

PALM HARBOR - Narcotics detectives this morning dismantled a marijuana-cultivation operation they uncovered in a string of small warehouses behind a Palm Harbor business plaza, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.

Search warrants were executed at the five units behind the Four Seasons Plaza, 39070 U.S. 19 N., sheriff's officials said.

One person is being questioned but has not been charged with a crime, they said. He was described as cooperative, they said.

Roughly 450 plants have been seized, along with several thousand dollars, authorities say. Equipment associated with grow operations – such as grow lights and ventilation systems – was being dismantled, they said.

Judging by the size of the plants, the operation has been in existence for about a year, narcotics investigators said.

Typically, authorities stumble upon grow houses because neighbors suspect something is awry at an address, authorities said. At this location, in a warehouse complex behind a strip mall, no one seemed to pick up on anything strange.

Sheriff's officials said they learned of the operation after receiving a tip.

Stay with TBO.com for updates.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT