Crime & Safety

Cops Bust Grow House With $640K in Pot Inside

A Brandon garage filled with equipment and more than 40 pot plants was discovered, deputies say.

When deputies responded to a complaint about a home on North Regent Circle in Brandon, they uncovered more than $600,000 in marijuana plants growing in the home's garage, according to an email from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

A resident called to complain about possible drug activity at 804 N. Regent Circle. That’s between Bryan Road and Bell Shoals Road to the south of Lumsden Road.

When deputies got to the home on May 29, they spoke to Rodolfo Leantaud and got permission to search the home. It was in the garage that they located a marijuana growing operation, the email said.

Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 “The garage was constructed for the sole purpose to cultivate marijuana. The garage was equipped with lights, ballasts, fans, CO2, an A/C Unit, and other miscellaneous items commonly used to cultivate marijuana,” wrote Larry McKinnon, sheriff's office spokesman.

There were 42 marijuana plants, all about 6 feet tall. That’s about 160 pounds of marijuana, said McKinnon. That much of the drug has a street value of $640,000, he added.

Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The operation was allegedly being powered by electricity being stolen from TECO.

A 13-year-old child was also staying at the residence. The child is staying with other family members.

Lentaud, 45, was arrested and charged with:

  • Trafficking in Marijuana
  • Cultivation of Marijuana
  • Own or Lease for the Purpose of Trafficking in Marijuana
  • Child Neglect
  • Grand Theft (electricity)

 His 46 year-old wife, Magaly Cuevas was also arrested and charged with:

  • Trafficking in Marijuana
  • Cultivation of Marijuana
  • Child Neglect


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.