ABBEVILLE – A marijuana operation raided by Vermilion officers wasn’t your everyday pot patch by a father and son.

Sheriff’s narcotics agents seized several thousand dollars worth of equipment, illicit narcotics and other forms of evidence at an alleged hydroponic marijuana operation this week after conducting a search warrant on Wilson Rd.

After a lengthy investigation, agents made contact with Leonardo Rivero, Sr of 6408 Wilson Rd. in reference to Rivero allegedly selling a large amount of marijuana.

After securing a search warrant, agents upon gaining entry into the residence located a very sophisticated “Hydroponic Marijuana Grow” inside of an attached room.

They seized grow lamps drying tables, cooling systems, hydration systems, and various other pieces of evidence to confirm that marijuana was being grown inside of the residence.

“This was not your run of the mill low end grow. This person literally built this room and equipped it for an illicit business. We have never come across such an elaborate set up in this parish. From the filtration systems, to the separate heating and cooling system for tropical climate control, to the packaging of the product, it was all done in house. The suspect also had heat reflecting insulation in the room to obscure law enforcement from using certain equipment to detect such grows from the outside. The equipment alone is worth several thousand dollars. But the street level sale of the product we are estimating at $420,000. It looks as though he was in a very lucrative business; that is until now,” an agent said.

Arrested and charged in the operation were: Leonardo Rivero, Sr., 58,of Vermilion Parish, charged with cultivation of marijuana, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and proceeds derived from illegal narcotics.

Leonardo Rivero, Jr., 22, ) of Pimbrook Pines Fla. was charged with Cultivation of Marijuana, and Principal to distribute marijuana. Total bond set $50,000