Strong Smell of Marijuana Leads Houston Police to Massive Grow Operation

HOUSTON, TX -- A tip from neighbors in a Southwest Houston neighborhood led to the discovery of a massive marijuana on Tuesday that included as many as 100 plants.

Undercover investigators with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Houston Police Department removed dozens of the plants from inside a home in the 9300 block of Starfire Lane after neighbors complained of a strange odor coming from the house.

Houston Police Spokesman Sgt. David Lane said the neighbors thought the house smelled strongly of marijuana, so officers came out to investigate last week.

“It was a pretty strong smell when we got close to it,” Lane told KPRC.

No one was at the house when officers came by last week, but federal and local investigators showed up Tuesday with a warrant and went inside, and discovered marijuana plants growing in every room of the house.

Police said whoever has been using the house, was cutting and packaging the drug in the living room for distribution.

Keon Ho, who lives across the street, told KPRC that they have seen a man come and go to the house periodically, but really didn’t know him.

“We hardly ever see them,” Ho said. “Most of the time I see him once a month, I thought he was just a businessman, he always comes with a briefcase.”

Police have not made any arrests, but do have a lead on a suspect in the case.

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