On July 17, 2014, Detective Scott Morgan arrested Jose Rodriguez, DOB: 8/1/62, for Cultivation of Marijuana, Trafficking in Marijuana, Theft of Electric-Grand Theft, Ownership of Property for the Purpose of Manufacturing a Controlled Substance and for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On the above date members of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office and Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at 22020 NW 264 Street. The search warrant was signed by the Honorable Judge Sweet on the same day. During the execution of the search warrant, Rodriguez was present at the residence. The following items were located inside the residence: Thirteen (13) growing marijuana plants with active root systems that weighed approximately 38.10 pounds. The plants were approximately 4 feet tall. The approximate value of the marijuana is $114,000.00; large black plant buckets, timers, capacitors, breakers, AC chiller, 1000 watt bulbs with aluminum housing and ballasts. Two (2) Ziploc bags each containing approximately ½ ounce of marijuana; a calendar with a list of the chemicals needed to grow the marijuana plants. It also contained numbers that coincided with the marijuana grow and what stage the plants were in; a shoe box that contained well over $10,000.00 in U.S. currency; and a plastic bag that contained marijuana trimmings. Rodriguez-Hernandez was transported to the Okeechobee County Jail. Bond is to be set at first appearance. Sheriff Paul C. May said of the raid, “The Drug Task Force has been successful again. We will continue to rid our county of these growhouses. When you’re in this type of business you never know when we will pay you a visit. But rest assured, we will.” As always, the nature of the probable cause to obtain the search warrant is privileged information and will not be released. Michele Bell Public information Officer
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 14:24:37 +0000