Sheriff targets pot cultivators

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office participated this week in a state wide drug operation targeting marijuana grow houses. Called “Operation RAKE”, the investigation took place in counties all over the state and, in Monroe County, involved investigators from Homeland Security, the Internal Revenue Service, the Monroe HIDTA, HIDTA Miami and investigators from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division.

During the operation, two locations in Monroe County were found to have cultivation operations and at two others, detectives found the presence of marijuana.

Detectives checked 65 Park Dr. in Key Largo. Detectives made contact with 22 year old Omar Martinez Moya of Hialeah. When Moya opened the door detectives were overwhelmed with what they recognized as the odor of marijuana cultivation. Moya showed detectives that he had converted the two bedroom house in to a full-blown marijuana grow lab. Detectives located 34 six-foot marijuana plants that were ready to be harvested. Detectives also located 23 pounds of harvested marijuana and one gram of cocaine. The grow operation was equipped with several grow lights, transformers air purifying systems, cooling systems and an irrigation system. To keep the cost of the power consumption down and not be suspicious Moya diverted power from the main line before it got to the meter. Florida Keys Electric was called to disconnect the power to the residence. Detectives also seized a 2009 Chrysler 300 for possible forfeiture. Moya was charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The total street value of this marijuana was estimated to be $57,000.

Detectives checked 6621 Maloney Ave #26 in Stock Island. Detectives made contact with 74 year old William Muir DeChenel who was found to be in possession of 9 marijuana plants and 58 grams of marijuana. He was arrested and charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of felony amount of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The total street value of this marijuana was estimated to be $9,000.

Detectives also checked a Tavernier residence and another Key Largo residence where marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found.