Narcotics
Press Release

Monday, July 17, 2006

Marijuana Grow House Busted

On Sunday, July 16, 2006, at approximately 12:00 PM, members of the C.L.E.A.N. of the Lee County Sheriff's Office served search warrants at 3415 25th Street West and 3315 38th Street Southwest, Lehigh Acres, Lee County, Florida.

On July 16th, 2006 the Combined Law Enforcement Against Narcotics (CLEAN) Task Force concluded a four month investigation into Indoor Marijuana Grow Houses in Lehigh Acres Florida. For the past four months, the Clean Task Force has been investigating a Marijuana cultivation organization directed by Ruben Naranjo.

On April 21, 2006 members of the CLEAN Task Force, with the assistance of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit, executed search warrants at 3400 6th Street SW and 2801 26th Street SW in Lehigh Acres. During the course of the investigation, Naranjo was identified as the leader of the organization and was also operating several other grow houses in the Lehigh Acres community.

In the evening hours of July 16th, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit executed search warrants at 3415 25th Street W and 3315 38th Street SW. During the subsequent search of the houses, detectives located 160 Marijuana plants along with air conditioning, electrical and irrigation equipment used in the operation.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of the below listed suspects charged as indicated.

The investigation to date has resulted in six arrests and the seizure of 331 Marijuana plants with a street value in excess of $350,000.00 dollars. The investigation is ongoing and several more arrests are anticipated.

Media inquiries are directed to Public Information Officer, Ileana Foell, at (239) 477-1341 (pager 930-5272).

06-241672

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