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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.
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.
