CLEWISTON — On Thursday, Sept. 17, the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Narcotics Unit, with the assistance of the SWAT Team, conducted a search warrant on a marijuana grow operation located on North Lindero Street, in the community of Montura Ranch Estates, in central Hendry County.

Upon securing the residence, deputies located 37-year-old Deynier Salazar Prieto of North Lindero Street. After a thorough search of the residence and property, deputies located a sophisticated indoor marijuana grow house within a semi-trailer on the property, which was being powered by stolen electricity. Several live marijuana plants were discovered and seized as evidence in addition to numerous vacuum sealed bags containing marijuana.

Deputies seized 21.72 pounds of marijuana that was prepackaged for sale, two firearms, and $1,707 in cash.

The power company related to this incident reported they had been defrauded of $20,000 worth of electricity.

After questioning and interrogation by the HCSO Narcotics Unit, Deynier Salazar Prieto was taken into custody and charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, theft of utilities to manufacture a controlled substance, possession and use of drug equipment and operating a drug house.

Salazar Prieto was transported to the Hendry County Jail and later released on Sept. 18, on $20,000 bond.