Police: Men grew pot in backyard swimming pool

HOMESTEAD, Fla., Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Police in Florida said they discovered a marijuana growing operation in an unused swimming pool with an access tunnel leading to a house.

Miami-Dade police said Valexy Quintero Consuegra, 37, Marley Torres Denis, 27, and Eddy Pelaez Ramirez, 44, were growing 82 marijuana plants in the pool behind a Homestead home, El Nuevo Herald reported Friday.

Police said the men had covered the pool with a slab of concrete and used a tunnel to get from the pool to the house, which was in foreclosure.

Investigators said they discovered the setup when police stopped a vehicle occupied by the two men just outside the house and detected the strong odor of marijuana.

The men were arrested on charges including trafficking and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. They are also facing charges related to stealing electricity.

"These criminals are going to think outside the box to make a quick buck,'' Miami-Dade police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta said.