Thread: FL - Statewide raid hits pot growers

A joint state-federal operation led to the arrest Thursday and Friday of 142 suspected marijuana growers throughout the state, including the four South Florida counties.
BY LUIS ANDRES HENAO
lhenao@MiamiHerald.com
A total of 142 people were arrested and more than 6,800 marijuana plants were seized in one of the largest statewide operations targeting marijuana grown in Florida homes, authorities announced Friday.

At a press conference, federal and state law enforcement officials said that Operation Eagle Claw spread out to all of Florida's 67 counties.

''This was my biggest operation in 39 years in the police department,'' said Capt. Joe Mendez of the South Florida High Intensity Trafficking Area that led the operation.

The operation started on Thursday at 6 a.m. and ended at noon Friday with arrests at 120 residential hydroponic marijuana labs.

Police also found 15 children living at homes with labs and said they are now in state care.

''It's terrible,'' Capt. Mendez said.

``It's a crime to grow, consume or sell marijuana. It makes it 10 times worse when you expose your children to the criminality. Because of their crime, the little guys pay the price.''

In South Florida, more than 2,650 marijuana plants were seized from 620 suspected grow houses and 73 people were arrested, according to police. South Florida operations took place in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties.

Mendez said that among the 142 people arrested statewide, about 95 percent were recently arrived from Cuba.

''The economy is bad so when they arrive, if they are offered a job taking care of the crops at $23,000 every month, it is tempting,'' Mendez told The Miami Herald.

The seized plants have an estimated value of $30.7 million, according to Jeffrey Sloman, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

The estimated street value of a pound of marijuana in South Florida is $4,500 per pound and can reach up to $8,000 per pound in the Northeast, according to police.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southfl ... 95090.html

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In South Florida, more than 2,650 marijuana plants were seized from 620 suspected grow houses and 73 people were arrested, according to police. South Florida operations took place in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties.

That is an average of just five plants per house unless this is a typo what a waste of resources. The street price mentioned also reflects pricing by the joint.

And this is how these new arrivals thank us for letting them come here from the stinkhole they would have had to live in? I say send them back!!