Published: November 18, 2009 03:44 pm      

2 charged in marijuana operation

Five-month investigation culminates in arrests

After nearly five months of investigation, Abel Tellechea, 42, and Alberto Rodriguez, 42, have been arrested by the Lafayette County Sheriffs Office and charged with cultivation of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The two were arrested in Live Oak in June and charged with possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana with intent to sell. Shortly thereafter, police reportedly discovered an indoor marijuana grow house in a residence at 1525 SE Eagle Road in Mayo. The house contained 65 marijuana plants along with various items used to grow and process the marijuana, say police. The plants recovered from inside the house had an estimated street value of about $227,500.