By Erin Sullivan, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, December 2, 2010
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ZEPHYRHILLS — Authorities found towering, 6-foot tall marijuana plants in two back yard sheds during a raid Tuesday on a suspected grow house, according the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
There were 11 plants in the sheds, altogether weighing more than 70 pounds, said sheriff's spokeman Kevin Doll.
Doll said underground power lines were dug up near the house at 29846 Cooper Road and diverted to the sheds. Recently, the stolen power blew out a transformer, causing a blackout in the neighborhood off Boyette Road, Doll said. When Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative came out to investigate, crews discovered the diverted power and called deputies — who then smelled marijuana and got a search warrant.
A resident of the home, 43-year-old Lupe Pettee, was arrested and charged with cultivation of marijuana. She was released from the Pasco County jail Wednesday on $5,000 bail. Pettee denied any knowledge of the marijuana growing operation or the theft of power.
Doll said there could be more arrests and that the case remains under investigation.
