Print Story Email Story Discuss Story (3)

Recommend ( 0 )

Laurence Whalen

Related Links

advertisement

published: Thursday, May 07, 2009

Grow house busted in Lorida

By TREY CHRISTY

trey.christy@newssun.com

LORIDA -- A total of 341 marijuana plants were seized on Wednesday after a blown transformer and smell of marijuana reportedly arose suspicion from an electric company employee.

Laurence "Larry" Whalen, 57, of 340 Meadow Lane in Lorida, was charged with first-degree felony trafficking of marijuana, producing marijuana and possession of narcotic equipment.

Members of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office responded to the home at 11:51 Tuesday evening after being notified by the employee, who spoke with Whalen at the home in the process of repairing the bad transformer.

After reportedly smelling the "odor of fresh cannabis" the deputies detained Whalen under reasonable suspicion that marijuana was being grown in the home.

Members of the HCSO Special Investigations Unit responded to the scene and discovered extra unused air conditioners, plant containers and a makeshift water supply line made of common garden hoses in the yard of the home, the report stated.

Based on the information gathered at the scene officials were able to obtain a search warrant and discovered 341 marijuana plants that were both live and harvested.

Grow lights, irrigation equipment, cooling equipment, plant containers, carbon filters, fertilizers, and other items were reportedly discovered inside the home in addition to the plants.

Whalen is being held at the Highlands County Jail on a combined bond of $115,000 for the three charges.