Investigation Leads To Massive Illegal Weed Bust In San Leandro: Police

SAN LEANDRO, CA — Police in San Leandro seized hundreds of pounds of marijuana during an investigation into illegal cultivation and sales of the drug on Wednesday, according to authorities.

Detectives from the Crime Suppression and Property Crimes Unit responded to the 1200 block of Vistagrand Drive after a community member reported seeing "suspicious activities" at a home in the area, according ot the San Leandro Police Department.

After speaking with the resident of the home and two other people, detectives were able to develop enough probable cause to secure a search warrant, police said.

While serving the warrant, the detectives found around 300 pounds of marijuana that had been processed and packaged into one-pound bags, around six pounds of THCA, more than half a pound of concentrated cannabis, also known as hashish, scales, packaging material, money counting machines nad over $10,000 in cash, police said.

The drugs were seized, and the resident of the home, identified by police as Jiangeng Huang, 43, was taken into custody on suspicion of unlicensed possession of marijuana for sale.

"While the use, cultivation, and sale of marijuana have been legalized in California, unlicensed large-scale cultivation and sales operations are still illegal," the San Leandro Police Department said in a statement Thursday. "In addition to being a nuisance and contributing to blight within a neighborhood, these illicit residential cultivation operations are often targeted by burglaries, robberies, or other violent crimes."

The SLPD says it encourages community members to contact the agency at 510-57702840 or the anonymous tip line, 510-577-3278, to report any suspected crimes.