Sheriff: Cannabis Growers Are Moving Next Door
SEBRING — When people talk about marijuana being the third-ranked cash crop in the state of Florida, they’re talking about Highlands County too, Sheriff Susan Benton told the county commissioners Tuesday.

“In November of 2006, the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office participated in a multi-state investigation that uncovered the largest marijuana operation in the county’s history,” Benton wrote in her January report, which was delivered to the commissioners.

“Grow houses have become popular due to the controlled growing environment that yields a higher potency,” Capt. Randy LaBelle was quoted in the sheriff’s report.

“Also, the advanced air surveillance and the heavily patrolled waterways have contributed in pushing the cultivation of this drug indoors,” Benton wrote. “These criminals are coming in and buying houses that look at home in the neighborhood, doing major internal renovations, installing elaborate air condition units, generators, and lighting, and then doing business as usual in our neighborhoods.” Benton asked
neighbors to be aware of move-ins who install dual air conditioners, or hook up illegally to utilities. One house used $5,000 in water a month for three months, she said. Others are stealing electricity.

To legally retaliate, the state and federal governments are seizing properties, she said.