Broward Sheriff's deputies seize $150K in marijuana at Oakland Park home

Growers use sodium vapor lamps and water plants by hand, police say

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. – Broward Sheriff's deputies seized dozens of marijuana plants that were growing inside a home in Oakland Park Tuesday, police said.

About 7 a.m., at least 10 deputies were at the house, 4543 NE 16th Ave., with a search warrant. The windows were covered to block visibility. Deputies found 152 "thriving" marijuana plants, BSO spokeswoman Dani Moschella said.

The growers used blowers to keep sodium vapor lamps cool and did not have a sophisticated watering system, as hydroponic labs often do. 

"The plants varied in size from seedlings to about five feet tall and filled five rooms of the house,"  Moschella said. "Each was growing in an individual garden pot with soil."

The tallest plants were about five feet high and had an estimated value of $150,000, police said.  BSO's Oakland Park Crime Suppression Team was involved in the investigation.

Moschella said at least two people were likely to face charges of cultivation of marijuana, trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.