$500,000 marijuana grow operation dismantled in Central Florida

Man, girlfriend taken into custody in Bushnell

BUSHNELL, Fla. – A man and his girlfriend were taken into a custody after an alleged marijuana grow operation worth $500,000 was discovered, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office said.

Detectives were notified at 9:30 a.m. Friday by Withlacoochee River Power Cooperative of a power diversion happening at a property in the 6800 block of CR 575 in Bushnell.

Deputies said power diversions of this size and scale can be indicative of a marijuana grow operation and detectives initiated an investigation.

Detectives obtained a search warrant that was executed at 11:18 a.m. Saturday. Deputies said a large and elaborate grow operation was discovered in an enclosed shed on the property and inside a home that had been renovated to facilitate the grow, including building and insulating walls, installing fans and lights, and an elaborate water system.

Deputies said two people were taken into custody: Danko Luya-Moreno, 34, who occupied the home, and his 28-year-old girlfriend, Taylin Diaz-Interian. Both were being charged with cultivation of marijuana and additional charges are expected.

Detectives were in the process of dismantling the operation, which had more than 230 marijuana plans with an estimated street value of nearly $500,000.