Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies broke up a suspected grow house today and arrested a man on several drug-related charges, and stealing electricity.
Jose Saborit, 53, of 11313 Hollyglen Drive, was charged with trafficking in marijuana (170 pounds), cultivation of marijuana, possession of a house to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and grow equipment, and felony theft of electricity.
The investigation started when patrol deputies received a tip about a possible grow house operation. The deputies then went to the house and asked Saborit if he was growing marijuana.
"Do you want to see it?" Saborit asked the deputies.
The deputies entered the house and said they were overwhelmed with the smell, and when they saw the number of plants, secured the house and received a search warrant.
Deputies found more than 55 plants averaging 4- to 5-feet tall and weighing a total of 170 pounds in the house, located in the Plantation subdivision. Investigators also found lighting and growing equipment that was used to support the marijuana operation.
The deputies dismantled the equipment, and seized the plants along with growing paraphernalia.
The sheriff's office said Saborit was the sole occupant of the house and had only a sleeping cot and personal belonging inside.
He is being held at Orient Road jail.
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