Hendry Marijuana Operation Busted

980 Plants "For Personal Use" Recovered In LaBelle

LABELLE, FL. -- On Tuesday morning, January 18, 2011 at approximately 11:15 am, while assisting State agents with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Deputies discovered what appeared to be a marijuana grow operation at 290 G Road, in LaBelle, Florida.

Hendry County Sheriff's Narcotics Division was notified and responded to the residence of 45 year old Darenda Susan Deras at 290 G Road where they observed numerous marijuana plants. Investigators seized 980 live marijuana plants ranging in size from 3 inches to 3 feet in height.

Suspect, Deranda Susan Deras admitted to investigators that she was tending the plants for her own personal use. Deras was then taken into custody and charged with Cultivation of Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams. She was released from Hendry County Sheriff's Office on a $7,000.00 bond.

The property, according to Hendry records, appears to be a rented parcel just off State Road 29 South owned by the estate of Juanita Pequeno.

In addition to the arrest of Deras, 46 year old Tammy Louise Ragan was arrested and charged with Obstruction. She was later released with a court date of February 14, 2011.