Older Bust in FL, but interesting

[whodi]

Was 'googling' and noticed a grow bust in a warehouse in FL. Seems he wasn't stealing electricity usage. The cops said "one of the clues was high electric usage in a small warehouse with little traffic"

video and article here: http://www.wftv.com/news/20434114/detail.html

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando agents busted an entire warehouse filled with hydroponics and pot plants on Robinson Street and the location made it easy for agents to find.

Orlando police and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) found the grow house inside 503 W. Robinson Street in Orlando (see map). It's right across the street from the Orlando headquarters of the FDLE. FDLE says the grower was brazen and stupid for thinking he wouldn't get caught.

From the outside, the no-name building looks like it's falling apart, with cracks all over and cracked windows. But inside, Orlando police say there was an elaborate and sophisticated grow house with 27 high-pressure sodium lamps with vented hoods to mimic the sun, a water supply and carbon dioxide generators on timers to promote rapid growth.

Investigators said they found 319 pot plants in various stages of growth. Wendy Duncan saw officers raid the place three weeks ago.

"There was at least 15 police officers, Orlando police, DEA," Duncan said.

One of the clues was an electric meter, which showed power usage was very high for such a small place where there appeared to be very little activity.

Building owner Bronson Vlahotis, 34, is facing six charges. Police say he admitted to having "a little weed," but they found 290 grams of dried pot in his Orlando apartment.

Vlahotis would have had to have been pretty clueless not to realize the FDLE's Orlando headquarters is right across the street; it's very clearly marked. But some are saying he's pretty clueless to think he would never get caught.

"He kept it very quiet and discreet. I was never allowed inside but my business partner was," Duncan said.

Duncan says the grow house has been there for three years, but the only records released so far on the case don't say how long it's been there or when investigators found out about it.

Orlando police would not comment on the case, because they're not done with the investigation.

 

[crftymofo]

vented hoods to mimic the sun
lol, I always thought it was the bulb mimicing the sun.

 

[VT_Fire]

they said he was a dumbass for having it right across the street from the pigs...which I wont necessarily argue with, but it was there for 3 yrs before he got popped. Wonder if somebody wasn't happy with their cut and blew the whistle