Large marijuana grow operation found in Moore County
ROBBINS, NC (WTVD) -- Moore County Sheriff Neil Godfrey said Friday that his deputies have uncovered a large marijuana grow operation near Robbins, North Carolina.
Godfrey said it began with an investigation of the alleged theft of power from Randolph Electric Membership Corporation in the 700 block of 719 Bellview Road.
Deputies got a search warrant and found 109 marijuana plants, growing lights, fans, carbon dioxide cylinders, electric transformers, electric capacitors, fertilizer, and other items used in the grow process.
The total weight of the marijuana plants seized by deputies was 606 pounds.
"This was the most sophisticated indoor growing operation that deputies have ever found in Moore County," Sheriff Godfrey said.
Godfrey estimated the street value of the pot at more than 2 million dollars.
Deputies arrested 25-year-old Jose Ginante Aliaga of Asheboro. He's charged with trafficking of marijuana, the manufacturing of marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, felony maintaining a dwelling to store a controlled-substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony larceny and property damage.
Bond was set at $200,000.
Sheriff Godfrey said the investigation is not over and more arrests are expected.
