Wilbur
New Member
It was being called one of Lake County's largest marijuana busts of all time. Detectives busted a growing operation tucked in the middle of a quiet neighborhood on Swanson Street in Groveland, where more than 250 marijuana plants were found in the home.
Detectives said the grower lived on the top floor and in the basement is where he grew the marijuana, complete with timed lights, an air-duct system and odor eliminators.
Detectives found 257 plants inside the unsuspecting house on Swanson Street. John Barton, 58, was busted after detectives got a tip a few weeks ago that there was a large grow operation.
Stacey Cothern lives right across the street from Barton. She said Barton was quiet and mostly kept to himself.
"We see him go to the mailbox sometimes and that was it," she said.
Lake County Acting Sheriff Gary Borders showcased the stash. The plants and processed pot had a total street value of almost $300,000. Detectives also found a gun and growing equipment inside.
"It's a high level of sophistication. It looks like they had a pretty good operation there," Borders said.
While Barton's operation wasn't seen in the neighborhood, deputies said any drug operation close to families is dangerous, especially in a neighborhood where kids have been playing close to the home, never knowing what went on inside.
Barton was being held at the Lake County jail. Detectives were still working to find other dealers and buyers connected to the case.
Newshawk: user - 420 Magazine
Source: WFTV9 (Florida)
Pubdate: November 2006
Copyright: 2006 wftv.com
Contact: Orlando, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Central Florida News, Weather and Traffic
Website: Marijuana Bust One Of The Largest Ever For Lake County - News
Detectives said the grower lived on the top floor and in the basement is where he grew the marijuana, complete with timed lights, an air-duct system and odor eliminators.
Detectives found 257 plants inside the unsuspecting house on Swanson Street. John Barton, 58, was busted after detectives got a tip a few weeks ago that there was a large grow operation.
Stacey Cothern lives right across the street from Barton. She said Barton was quiet and mostly kept to himself.
"We see him go to the mailbox sometimes and that was it," she said.
Lake County Acting Sheriff Gary Borders showcased the stash. The plants and processed pot had a total street value of almost $300,000. Detectives also found a gun and growing equipment inside.
"It's a high level of sophistication. It looks like they had a pretty good operation there," Borders said.
While Barton's operation wasn't seen in the neighborhood, deputies said any drug operation close to families is dangerous, especially in a neighborhood where kids have been playing close to the home, never knowing what went on inside.
Barton was being held at the Lake County jail. Detectives were still working to find other dealers and buyers connected to the case.
Newshawk: user - 420 Magazine
Source: WFTV9 (Florida)
Pubdate: November 2006
Copyright: 2006 wftv.com
Contact: Orlando, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Central Florida News, Weather and Traffic
Website: Marijuana Bust One Of The Largest Ever For Lake County - News
