HOLIDAY, Fla. — A 63-year-old man was arrested after deputies say he was running a marijuana grow house and stealing electricity to power it.
Pasco County Deputies say Pedro Julio Ruiz did not live at the home on Chickadee Road in Holiday. According to an arrest report, Ruiz's personal property was found inside the home during a search warrant, including medication with his name on it, misdemeanor probation paperwork in the living room and a power bill in his name.
Deputies say all of the rooms in the home had been converted to grow marijuana, and 24 plants were found growing in one of the rooms.
According to the arrest report, Duke Energy found a power diversion being used to run multiple air conditioning units and more than 24 ballasts and grow lights.
Duke Energy told deputies it estimated the theft to be worth $11,979.73.
Ruiz was charged with marijuana productions and grand theft of utility services.
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