Investigation uncovers elaborate marijuana grow operation, Columbia County Sheriff's Office said

Julio Antonio Pedroso-Gonzalez, 41, was arrested on Monday after a 10-month long investigation conducted by the Columbia County multi-jurisdictional drug task force, according the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office said the task force found what appears to be an elaborate marijuana grow operation and interstate distribution system.

The Sheriff's Office said the investigation began February 2018.

The Sheriff's Office said that during the investigation task force detectives and agents discovered a building, located at 270 Northeast Mule Way in unincorporated Columbia County, that appeared to be modified for growing marijuana.

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The Sheriff's Office said the task force found 86 large plants inside the building, and in the home on the property, found just over 8 pounds of finished product. The Sheriff's Office said all together the street value is estimated at over $240,000.

The Sheriff's Office said it appeared the grow operation was getting the immense power needed to run the plant by allegedly stealing the power from Suwannee Valley Electric in order to hid the illicit activity.

Pedroso-Gonzalez is facing charges for theft of utilities, cultivation and manufacture of cannabis, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug equipment, according to the Sheriff's Office.

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The Sheriff's Office said Pedroso-Gonzalez was booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility and has a $40,000 bond.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the task force has referred the distribution investigation related to this case to state and federal partners.

The Sheriff's Office said, "The Columbia County multi-jurisdictional drug task force is comprised of law enforcement personnel from Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Lake City Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)."

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