A Maui man was charged yesterday in connection with what federal agents described as "a sophisticated indoor marijuana cultivation operation" at his Ha'iku home.

Roger Dale Bagby grew an estimated 500 plants in two converted bedrooms and a bathroom, according to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court by Randy Wagner, a special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

"Rather than being sprouted from seeds, these marijuana plants were 'cloned,' i.e., there were several 'mother' marijuana plants in the bathroom from which cuttings would be taken and then planted, with each new cutting eventually developing its own root system and developing into separate plants," the affidavit said. There were an additional 100 or more cloned marijuana plants that had not yet developed root systems, Wagner said.

Bagby was arrested and taken into custody after the raid on his home Thursday.

The affidavit said that Bagby began renting a residence at an Ala Olu Place address in November 2005 and that he lived there alone. Bagby estimated that he invested $10,000 in supplies and equipment to set up the operation, the affidavit said. The document also said Bagby was growing marijuana for a little more than two years and selling it for about 18 months.

Bagby told authorities that he made about $5,000 a month by selling 1 ounce of marijuana for $330 and 1/4 ounce for $100, according to the affidavit. Also, Bagby told authorities he was arrested by Maui police for robbery on Wednesday after he pushed and punched a man who owed him $100 for 1/4 ounce of marijuana, the affidavit said.