Seven adults have been arrested in the case and are facing felony charges of marijuana cultivation, possession and trafficking. The 17-year-old and his so-called lieutenants are answering to charges in the juvenile system.

"He is his own little czar over this high school scenario with these lieutenants, but the people above him involved in growing the product are certainly higher up in the food chain," Burke said.

The task force investigated the ring for more than a year before arresting its leaders and bringing charges against the juveniles this month.

Authorities seized more than 600 hydroponically grown marijuana plants with a street value of around $3 million.

They found $6,000 in cash in the teens' bedroom closet.

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Follow Amanda Lee Myers on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AmandaLeeAP.