The Collier County Sheriff’s Office Vice and Narcotics Bureau made the discovery during a multi-agency investigation dubbed Operation Lightning Bolt. Agencies from Monroe, Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Collier counties participated in this operation that focused on indoor marijuana grow houses in the south Florida area.
The operation was spearheaded by the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Office in Miami. Indoor marijuana grow houses have continued to plague the south Florida area.
Two marijuana grow locations were dismantled during this operation.
Detectives executed a search warrant at 3014 Everglades Blvd. S. in Golden Gate Estates, where they discovered a sophisticated marijuana grow operation underground.
Beneath an oversized shed in the backyard, detectives said a trap door led them to an underground steel cargo container -- 9-feet tall, 8-feet wide and about 52-feet long, where the grow operation was housed.
The container had advanced techniques for growing, including lights and plumbing.
The investigation turned up 133 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $399,000 and grow equipment valued at $15,000.
Detectives also found a quarter of a pound of marijuana and a loaded firearm.
In Immokalee, detectives conducted an investigation into marijuana cultivation at a residence at 507 Adams Ave. Detectives seized three marijuana plants that were being grown behind the residence.
The marijuana had an estimated street value of $3,000.
No arrests were made at either of the Collier County grow houses. Investigations are continuing.
So far this year CCSO Vice and Narcotics Bureau detectives have shut down nine marijuana grow operations in Collier County, making seven arrests and uncovering a total of 347 plants with a combined estimated street value of $1.035 million.
The trap door leading to the underground grow operation at 3014 Everglades Blvd. S.
Inside the container that housed the grow operation.
Marijuana found drying in the residence on Everglades Blvd.
A view of the backyard shed that concealed the underground grow operation.
