Electric Co-op Today

A routine service call that triggered a police investigation has led to criminal marijuana cultivation charges against a Florida woman, and a co-op technician is an important part of the case.

These are some of the marijuana plants found during a theft of service investigation in Florida’s Pasco County. (Photo By: WTSP News)

The technician from Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative was dispatched Nov. 30 to a home in Wesley Chapel to investigate a reported power outage.

When he began tracing the problem back on the underground service line, he found that the wire had been spliced, said David Lambert, manager of member relations at Dade City-based Withlacoochee River Electric Co-op.

The spliced line led to a neighboring property on which there were three locked sheds, said Lambert. “Our linemen have been trained in staff meetings to spot the signs of grow houses. We have been hit pretty hard with them here.”

The technician contacted the co-op’s district manager. Pasco County Sheriff’s Department deputies were requested to join him at the scene.

Deputies obtained a search warrant, and according to a police report found 11 large marijuana plants in two of the sheds. They also found electric cables and small transformers that might have provided power before the transformer was blown, authorities said.

The county’s drug-sniffing dog found what turned out to be 73 pounds of marijuana. 

The woman in the case, Lupe Pettee, 44, has denied any knowledge of the operation. She was charged with cultivation of marijuana and released from jail after posting $5,000 bond. The police investigation is continuing.

These transformers were connected to wires that were spliced into a Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative underground service line without authorization. (Photo By: WTSP News)

The identity of the Withlacoochee River technician has not been revealed because he is considered a witness in a felony criminal investigation. But authorities have already expressed their gratitude for his assistance.

“We received enough information from Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative to get a search warrant and make the discovery of the illegal marijuana grow house,” said Doug Tobin, public information officer for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Department.

Co-op electric linemen and cable television installers often observe activities that could prompt police investigations, said Tobin.

“In many cases, not only can we put an end to the theft of electricity and cable, but we also can shut down these illegal grow house operations and keep marijuana off the streets.”

WTSP-TV, St. Petersburg, supplied photos for this story.

Tags: Co-op News, Crime, Power Outages