12 million dollar marijuana bust today atlanta - Security & Legal Issues - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

nappybutbald · 02-15-2007, 05:37 AM

Fayetteville couple, 24 others busted in drug ring

By KATHY JEFCOATS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 02/15/07

A Fayetteville real estate agent and her husband masterminded a $12 million operation to grow marijuana hydroponically in the basements of vacant $300,000 homes, police from at least six Georgia counties announced Wednesday.

Fayette County sheriff's drug agents said Blanca Botello, 34, is a licensed ReMax Realtor who helped close the sale on at least a dozen homes used in the operation. The homes are owned by Cuban nationals who also may be charged, police said at a news conference.

Police said Botello's husband, Merquiades Martinez, 35, owns a hydroponics store in Fayetteville. Hydroponics refers to a soil-less process of growing plants in water and nutrients.

Fayette District Attorney Scott Ballard said the couple, along with 24 others, mostly Cuban nationals, are charged with manufacturing and trafficking marijuana and theft of services. Ballard said all 26 are in county jails. No other suspect names were released.

Fayette sheriff's Lt. Dwayne Prosser said the massive amount of electricity used in the grow process was diverted to the house so it wouldn't show up on meters and raise suspicion.

"Phenomenal is the best word I can use to describe this operation," Prosser said.

Fayette County Sheriff Randall Johnson said marijuana was being grown in the basements of 11 homes in Fayette, Henry, Coweta, Butts, Newton and Rockdale counties. Agents raided a 12th home Wednesday afternoon in the exclusive Lake Dow community in Henry County, said Maj. Stoney Mathis of the Henry Police Department.

Prosser said the investigation, which originated from the Jones County Sheriff's Office and the Drug Enforcement Agency, is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

nappybutbald · 02-15-2007, 05:42 AM

it all started from a tip the FEDS received in Miami. Tip my ass somebody down there got busted and made a deal for less time i bet. or they pissed somebody off. rule number one keep you grow business to your self!

02-15-2007, 06:41 AM

It's hard to keep a 10 plus house operation to yourself.

Sinfuldreams · 02-15-2007, 06:47 AM

Pay your Electric Bill
Sin

02-15-2007, 06:59 AM

They where stealing their electic like all the others that have been busted with large grows like these. Do these people not learn from others that have been busted this way. Guess, their DIY person. Tells, them they got a new way not to get popped for stealing the juice. Same old story. Get a fuckin large generator
BG

cooked cook · 02-15-2007, 07:04 AM

yep, my old IC buddies Sin and BG got it right. Stealing power draws LEO's attention every time. SO MANY stories of busts goin down like this. If it's gonna be WAY too much power to pay for...maybe think of another way to do it. Generators, power sharing between houses, or maybe just breaking it down into more smaller grows instead of a couple BIG ones.
Be safe folks. If you pay your electric bill, they'll happily accept payment without questions.
cc

02-15-2007, 07:08 AM

I used to live in Ga.... i wouldn't want to be facing those charges down there.....

HCSmyth · 02-15-2007, 08:01 AM

Even if they were running 25k in lights in each house it would still be safer for them to pay the very high $300-$500 bill than divert power, IMO. It makes no sense why these guys always divert power to save a few bucks.

Pops · 02-15-2007, 08:10 AM

HC, 25kw operation will use about 9 megawatts per month just in flower time. The bill will be more like $1,000-$1,300, but you are correct. Just pay the bill. It is hard to justify a 9,000 kilowatt hour useage in any house. About half of that is justifiable if several people live there and there is a hot tub or spa. People always want to max out the space in the house and cannot justify using that much electricity, so they steal it. They might survive for a while, but not for long.

bergerbuddy · 02-15-2007, 08:22 AM

I don't know where anyone come up with... cause they were stealing power...they got busted... I would have expected someone busted sooner had they been generating humoungus electrical bills.... They aint stupid in ga...

02-15-2007, 05:37 AM	#1
nappybutbald Winter Rooster Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Republic of Weed, Way Up North, Deep Down South, a little to the west and a little to the east, just look around i am growing everywhere! Posts: 158	12 million dollar marijuana bust today atlanta Fayetteville couple, 24 others busted in drug ring By KATHY JEFCOATS The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 02/15/07 A Fayetteville real estate agent and her husband masterminded a $12 million operation to grow marijuana hydroponically in the basements of vacant $300,000 homes, police from at least six Georgia counties announced Wednesday. Fayette County sheriff's drug agents said Blanca Botello, 34, is a licensed ReMax Realtor who helped close the sale on at least a dozen homes used in the operation. The homes are owned by Cuban nationals who also may be charged, police said at a news conference. Police said Botello's husband, Merquiades Martinez, 35, owns a hydroponics store in Fayetteville. Hydroponics refers to a soil-less process of growing plants in water and nutrients. Fayette District Attorney Scott Ballard said the couple, along with 24 others, mostly Cuban nationals, are charged with manufacturing and trafficking marijuana and theft of services. Ballard said all 26 are in county jails. No other suspect names were released. Fayette sheriff's Lt. Dwayne Prosser said the massive amount of electricity used in the grow process was diverted to the house so it wouldn't show up on meters and raise suspicion. "Phenomenal is the best word I can use to describe this operation," Prosser said. Fayette County Sheriff Randall Johnson said marijuana was being grown in the basements of 11 homes in Fayette, Henry, Coweta, Butts, Newton and Rockdale counties. Agents raided a 12th home Wednesday afternoon in the exclusive Lake Dow community in Henry County, said Maj. Stoney Mathis of the Henry Police Department. Prosser said the investigation, which originated from the Jones County Sheriff's Office and the Drug Enforcement Agency, is ongoing and more arrests are expected. __________________ To Harvest or Not to Harvest That is The Question, remember when it comes to Your Harvest Patience is a virtue and often a discipline, young grasshopper.
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02-15-2007, 05:42 AM	#2
nappybutbald Winter Rooster Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Republic of Weed, Way Up North, Deep Down South, a little to the west and a little to the east, just look around i am growing everywhere! Posts: 158	it all started from a tip the FEDS received in Miami. Tip my ass somebody down there got busted and made a deal for less time i bet. or they pissed somebody off. rule number one keep you grow business to your self! __________________ To Harvest or Not to Harvest That is The Question, remember when it comes to Your Harvest Patience is a virtue and often a discipline, young grasshopper.
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02-15-2007, 06:41 AM	#3
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	It's hard to keep a 10 plus house operation to yourself.
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02-15-2007, 06:47 AM	#4
Sinfuldreams Basement Garden Gnome Join Date: May 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,581	Once again Pay your Electric Bill Sin __________________ Amateur Hour (Ron Mael) Lawns grow plush in the hinterlands It's the perfect little setting for the one night stands Now the drapes are drawn and the lights are out It's the time to put in practice what you've dreamed about Sinfuldreams: <<< Can Only Speak of Future Whoring Nattynattygurrl : I Aspire to Whore
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02-15-2007, 06:59 AM	#5
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	They where stealing their electic like all the others that have been busted with large grows like these. Do these people not learn from others that have been busted this way. Guess, their DIY person. Tells, them they got a new way not to get popped for stealing the juice. Same old story. Get a fuckin large generator BG
	Quote

02-15-2007, 07:04 AM	#6
cooked cook bake at 420 until nicely toasted Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: the rebel base at ice planet Hoth Posts: 917	yep, my old IC buddies Sin and BG got it right. Stealing power draws LEO's attention every time. SO MANY stories of busts goin down like this. If it's gonna be WAY too much power to pay for...maybe think of another way to do it. Generators, power sharing between houses, or maybe just breaking it down into more smaller grows instead of a couple BIG ones. Be safe folks. If you pay your electric bill, they'll happily accept payment without questions. cc __________________ Culinary Apothecary
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02-15-2007, 07:08 AM	#7
James-Bong Guest Posts: n/a	I used to live in Ga.... i wouldn't want to be facing those charges down there.....
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02-15-2007, 08:01 AM	#8
HCSmyth Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 454	Even if they were running 25k in lights in each house it would still be safer for them to pay the very high $300-$500 bill than divert power, IMO. It makes no sense why these guys always divert power to save a few bucks.
	Quote

02-15-2007, 08:10 AM	#9
Pops Resident pissy old man Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: someplace hotter than hell Posts: 3,053	HC, 25kw operation will use about 9 megawatts per month just in flower time. The bill will be more like $1,000-$1,300, but you are correct. Just pay the bill. It is hard to justify a 9,000 kilowatt hour useage in any house. About half of that is justifiable if several people live there and there is a hot tub or spa. People always want to max out the space in the house and cannot justify using that much electricity, so they steal it. They might survive for a while, but not for long.
	Quote

02-15-2007, 08:22 AM	#10
bergerbuddy Canna Coco grower Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington State Medical Grower Posts: 1,041	I don't know where anyone come up with... cause they were stealing power...they got busted... I would have expected someone busted sooner had they been generating humoungus electrical bills.... They aint stupid in ga...
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