Police shut down hydroponics labs across Miami-Dade County
MIAMI (WSVN) -- Authorities went on a county-wide drug raid Wednesday, aimed at shutting down hydroponics labs in Miami-Dade as part of an anti-drug operation.
Police raided 42 homes, arrested 39 people and confiscated more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana worth about $11.2 million in street value. The raid took place from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Sitting in handcuffs outside one of the homes, Thomas Rodriguez admitted he simply made a bad career choice. "Yeah, that's all it is," he told a reporter, "trying a way to make a living, and those are the choices I made."
Officials say some of the individuals taken into custody were operating the grow houses with children living with them. Police found kids' toys and even a baby swing at one home. In addition to facing drug trafficking charges, some will face charges of child endangerment, among other charges.
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