Crime & Safety
More Than 1,200 Marijuana Plants Seized from Grow Operation
Narcotics agents seized plants in San Carlos on Friday.
More than 1,200 marijuana plants worth nearly $1 million were
seized Friday by narcotics agents in San Carlos, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
The owner of a warehouse in the 900 block of Terminal Way asked sheriff's deputies to help inspect the property after neighbors complained of smelling marijuana.
Deputies entered the warehouse with the property owner and
allegedly found John Breisch, 51, and Ryan Schofield, 33, in the process of dismantling an indoor marijuana grow operation, according to the sheriff's office.
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A third suspect, later identified as 57-year-old Alexis Bennight,
was detained after he arrived at the warehouse during the inspection.
Agents from the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force were called to assist in the investigation, which continued at a home in the 1300 block of Elm Street.
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A search of the residence netted 1,294 marijuana plants, some of which were found in an outdoor shed, and others that appeared to have been moved from the operation in the Terminal Way warehouse, according to the sheriff's office.
The estimated street value of the plants was $905,800.
Agents also seized six pounds of processed marijuana -- worth an estimated $16,800 -- and found evidence of drug sales and equipment to illegally bypass electricity service.
The three men were arrested on suspicion of multiple drug-related offenses, including cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, theft of utilities and maintaining a place for the purpose of selling
drugs.
- Bay City News
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