HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL -- Detectives had little problem finding one of two grow houses they raided earlier this week. A home located in the 6500 block of Runningwoods Drive was using so much electricity the transformer nearby was melting and nearly exploded.
In addition to stealing electricity, cops said Rafael Guerrero converted two of the homes bedrooms to grow marijuana. Nearly 30 plants were confiscated representing 32 pounds with a street value of about $130,000.
Guerrero was charged with cultivation of marijuana and stealing power.
Another home located in the 1400 block of Sandlake Drive had 13 plants weighing about 4 pounds with a value of nearly $15,000 according to detectives.
Someone tipped the sheriff's office after smelling a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the apartment. Detectives said Eric Tharpe ventilated the growing operation through the walls of the apartment which created a potential health problem for other residents and led to his arrest.
Tharpe was charged with growing marijuana.
