Pubdate: Thu, 20 Sep 2007
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Page: A14
Copyright: 2007 The Sacramento Bee
Contact:  http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Note: Does not publish letters from outside its circulation area.
Author: Ryan Lillis and Sandy Louey, Bee Staff Writers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California)

BIG POT OPERATION BUSTED IN ELK GROVE

Plants Limited To 2nd Floor Of Homes To Boost Secrecy.

Elk Grove police uncovered another network of marijuana-growing 
houses dotting the city's suburban neighborhoods Wednesday, and 
authorities said the targets of this operation had learned key 
camouflage lessons from the busts of dozens of others over the past year.

As police raided 21 homes and confiscated more than 6,100 plants, 
$200,000 in cash, 10 vehicles and sophisticated growing equipment, 
investigators were struck by the amount of effort that had gone 
toward disguising the operations.

Many of the houses had furnished living rooms and manicured lawns, 
and some neighbors told police they had spoken with the people living 
in the homes.

In one home on Marina Cove Circle, a shrine to Buddha hung on the 
wall next to a massive fish tank holding more than a dozen goldfish. 
Out front, the rose bushes had recently been pruned.

Upstairs, police said, they found 319 marijuana plants.

Authorities said the suspects behind the large operation busted last 
year counted on anonymity in the suburbs, rarely showing their faces 
and letting their lawns go dry. In the end, authorities said, that 
kind of behavior only fueled curiosity by their neighbors, many of 
whom tipped off police.

"They are adapting to what citizens would call in about," Elk Grove 
police spokesman Chris Trim said. "As they adapt, we have to adapt."

In all, marijuana plants were found in 12 homes in Elk Grove, as well 
as a home in Sacramento and another in Galt, police said. The 
confiscated plants -- which are capable of four growing cycles a year 
- -- could produce up to $24 million worth of pot, police said.

About 100 heavily armed officers kicked in doors and arrested 14 
people, with some of the raids going down as children hopped off 
school buses and parents returned home in minivans. And as was the 
case in the takedown of 49 suspected pot houses in the region last 
year and this year, a tip from a neighbor sparked the latest 
investigation, starting 10 months ago.

"Some follow-up led to other individuals and other homes, which led 
to more individuals and more homes," Trim said.

The similarities between the earlier operation -- which authorities 
linked to an organized crime ring based in the Bay Area -- ended 
there, police said.

All of the suspects arrested Wednesday live in the Sacramento area, 
with most of them residing in Elk Grove, Trim said. Some of the 
suspects had lived at least part time in the homes that were raided, 
leaving behind newspapers and food, Trim said.

In the Bay Area-based operation, marijuana plants covered nearly 
every foot of the homes raided, leaving little living space, police said.

The latest series of homes raided had marijuana being grown on the 
second floor only, police said. Investigators suspect the tactic was 
meant to hide the marijuana plants from neighbors.

That was the situation at a home raided on Brian Kelly Way, where 
police said they hauled away 504 marijuana plants.

The front lawn of the two-story, tan-and-brown home was green and 
well taken care of. Rosewood furniture -- some still covered in 
protective plastic wrapping -- sat in the living room, and a 
supermarket calendar hung in the front entry area.

After the marijuana plants had been taken out of the home and placed 
in the rear of a Budget rental truck, construction workers boarded up 
the windows to prevent people from breaking in, Trim said.

Residents on Brian Kelly Way said they didn't suspect the home was 
used to grow marijuana.

"I thought it was empty," said Princess Daniels, who has lived on the 
street for about a year.

Daniels said she was glad for the crackdown on the alleged pot homes.

"It's a nice neighborhood, and it should not be having these things 
going on," she said.

On Marina Cove Circle, children rode their bicycles while their 
parents stood in awe of the unfolding scene.

"Of course you hate to see anything like this happening in your 
neighborhood, but at least the police are tracking it," said Jeff 
Bickford, a neighbor.

The same factors that draw residents to move to suburban areas such 
as Elk Grove also attract criminals, Trim said.

"The criminal element looks at locations where they can do their 
activity undetected," he said. "For them, there's no better location 
than a suburban area that's quiet and has low crime."

Elk Grove Mayor Jim Cooper commended the Police Department for the 
time and thoroughness of their investigation.

"My hat goes off to our Police Department," he said.

Neither Cooper nor Councilman Michael Leary believe the pot homes 
tarnish Elk Grove's image.

"I don't think so. It's one of those things in which people are in 
the drug business to make money off other people's misery," Cooper 
said. "This is a place they choose, and it shouldn't reflect 
negatively on Elk Grove." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake