March 26, 2007
Brandon Haught
Public Information Office

MARIJUANA GROWING OPERATION FOUND IN DELTONA HOME 

Volusia County narcotics agents found approximately 350 marijuana plants, each worth about $1,000, in a Deltona home during a Tuesday morning raid. A man in the home, who had recently moved to Deltona, was arrested on several drug charges, and an investigation is ongoing to find any other people who were involved in the elaborate grow operation. 

               

    
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Narcotics investigators conducted a six-month investigation prompted by a tip and were able to obtain a search warrant for the home. The Volusia Bureau of Investigations and Volusia County Sheriff’s SWAT Team executed the search warrant shortly after 6 a.m. at 1948 N. Normandy Blvd. Uncovered in the basement were three rooms equipped with special grow lights, cooling systems and fertilizer. 

Damian Espinoza, 34, was charged with trafficking in marijuana, cultivation of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He will be booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach. 

The Volusia Bureau of Investigation pools local, state and federal resources to combat large-scale narcotics operations, racketeering and organized crime. Agencies participating in the 16-member task force include the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Daytona Beach Police Department, Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety, Port Orange Police Department, New Smyrna Beach Police Department and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Westside Narcotics Task Force also assisted in the investigation and raid. 

Residents of west Volusia who have information about possible drug activity are encouraged to contact the West Volusia Narcotics Task Force at 386-736-5249. Those on the east side of the county can call the East Volusia Narcotics Task Forces at 386-274-0185.