Drug Agents Make Huge Bust In Vermilion Parish

VERMILION PARISH, La. (KPEL) -- Thousands of dollars of equipment and hundred of thousands of dollars of illegal drugs were taken out of commission after drug agents executed a search warrant in Vermilion Parish.

Drew David with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Narcotics Unit says a search of 48-year-old Leonardo Rivero Sr.'s Wilson Street home revealed a highly advanced hydroponic marijuana growing system.

"This was not your run-of-the-mill low end grow," David says. "We have never come across such an elaborate setup in the parish."

Inside, agents found a marijuana growing system featuring an advanced level of sophistication. David says agents found various lamps and drying tables, as well as a separate cooling and heating system in order to maintain a tropical environment. The room also kept itself from being detected from the outside through the use of heat reflecting insulation, David says.

"The equipment alone is worth several thousand dollars," David says. All told, the drugs inside have an estimated street value of $420,000. "It looks as though [Rivero] was in a very lucrative business."

Rivero was arrested and booked on various drug charges, including cultivation of marijuana, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and proceeds derived from illegal narcotics. Bond has been set at $100,000.

Rivero's son, 22-year-old Leonardo Rivero, Jr., was also arrested and booked on charges of cultivation of marijuana and principal to distribute marijuana. Bond for him has been set at $50,000.