150 pot plants found in garage

The number of marijuana "grow houses" in Pasco is on the rise, authorities say.

By HELEN ANNE TRAVIS
Published July 4, 2007

WESLEY CHAPEL - Pasco County deputies arrested 52-year-old Nemesio Alonso on Monday after they found more than 150 marijuana plants growing in his garage on Axelrod Way in Wesley Chapel.

"That's a pretty good haul, " said Lt. Robert Sullivan, chief of the Pasco sheriff's vice and narcotics unit. Until Monday, the county had found only a few marijuana "grow houses" with more than 100 plants.

Alonso told authorities that he intended to sell the marijuana after harvesting it, according to the arrest report.

The average plant yields a pound of marijuana, said Sullivan. Indoor-grown plants are typically more potent than that grown by other methods. One pound could go for as much as $2, 000.

Some neighbors, who did not want their names used, said Alonso kept to himself. They said they were shocked at the arrest.

Indoor grow houses are on the rise in Pasco County, Sullivan said.

So far this year, deputies have busted a dozen marijuana grow houses. In 2006, they found less than half that amount.

The indoor marijuana gardens seem to be replacing home methamphetamine labs, said Sullivan. Last year, deputies found approximately 20 meth labs in Pasco. So far this year they have found only two.

The transition from meth to marijuana happened overnight, Sullivan said. Deputies are trying to find out why. If anything, growing marijuana requires more scientific knowledge and more startup supplies than producing meth, he said.

But if Sullivan had to pick between the two poisons, he said he'd take the marijuana grow houses.

Meth labs use highly combustible materials such as anhydrous ammonia and lye. The labs have been known to blow up a home or apartment complex.

"Marijuana also doesn't typically generate the violent, explosive criminal behavior we see of meth addicts, " said Sullivan.

Alonso declined an interview request from the Times. A Chevrolet 2500 truck barricaded the driveway at his residence. No one answered the door.

Alonso was charged with cultivating marijuana. Deputies are investigating whether he worked alone and whether he had sold drugs in the past.

Tuesday, he was at the Pasco County jail in Land O'Lakes in lieu of $2, 000 bail.

Helen Anne Travis can be reached at 352-521-6518 or htravis@sptimes.com

[Last modified July 3, 2007, 22:18:26]