Authorities busted a suspected marijuana growing operation in suburban West Palm Beach.
Deputies with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office say the two people they arrested processed marijuana in the room next to their children’s bedroom.
Jorge Luis Charchaval Ortega, 27, and Yurisleidy Diaz Oceguera, 24, now face multiple drug charges.
According to court documents, agents served a search warrant Monday afternoon at 2125 Wellington Road in suburban West Palm Beach. It’s a residential neighborhood north of the airport.
Those court documents show deputies found 8.5 pounds of processed marijuana inside the home, along with paraphernalia and a loaded pistol.
Deputies found electrical equipment used for growing plants indoors in a car belonging to Diaz Oceguera.
Outside the home, deputies discovered nine black garbage bags full of soil and cannabis root balls. The deputy wrote “this material is the common waste product of a recently harvested indoor cannabis manufacturing laboratory.”
Neighbors call the block quiet. They said there seemed to be a lot of vehicle traffic in and out of the house, but they never thought anything suspicious of it.
“It’s kind of a shock down this street,” said Jonathan Lucas. “Normally it’s a pretty quiet street. I’ve lived here four years and never had a problem.”
Lucas lives a few doors down from the alleged grow house. He said he’s happy deputies had an eye on what might have been going on inside.
“I wouldn’t want any crime down this street because I haven’t had any crime since I moved here. And if that’s going to bring it, they’re better off being caught by the police,” Lucas said.
The sheriff's office says the couple’s two-year-old and two-week-old children lived with them.
Police sources say 8.5 pounds of marijuana is a lot. Depending on the quality of the product, it could sell anywhere between $6,000 and $20,000 on the streets.
Diaz Oceguera and Charchaval Ortega face a maximum of 55 years in prison, if convicted on all four drug charges they face; including possessing narcotics in a home where children live.
Charchaval Ortega, who is a convicted felon, could face an additional maximum of 15 years in prison for illegally possessing a firearm.
Diaz Oceguera bonded out of jail late Monday.
A spokesperson from the sheriff’s office said you should report any suspicious behavior you see in your neighborhood.