HOUSTON – A sweeping raid by Drug Enforcement Agents led to the discovery of more than 1,000 marijuana plants growing inside two Houston-area homes.
"I'm shocked and amazed," said George Matthews after hearing agents reported finding 389 marijuana plants growing inside a home valued by Harris County at $150,000 on Pine Falls Drive in the Copperfield Subdivision. "I've been here on this street for 24 years, never heard anything like this."
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According to documents filed in Houston federal court, agents found another 636 marijuana plants growing inside a home valued by the Appraisal District at $200,000 in the upscale, gated The Reserve at Cypress Creek neighborhood.
Local 2 Investigates was able to see what was left inside the home after agents raided the house.
There were dozens of empty plastic pots filled with dirt, a few dried marijuana leaves, hydroponic plant food, a water filtration system and generators for indoor growing lamps. Numerous electrical cords and flexible exhaust pipes were cut into walls and the ceiling to help run the operation. Thick black fabric was placed over windows and a surveillance camera was spotted facing the street from a front window of the home.
According to DEA agents, Michael Seery was arrested during the raids.
Documents filed in federal court read Seery admitted the marijuana plants found in both homes belonged to him. Federal agents wrote, "(Seery) additionally advised that he distributed his marijuana to a select few retail dealers in the Houston area, and stated that he sold his marijuana for $4,000 to $5,000 per pound."
Federal court documents further read Seery told agents he began growing the plants at the Pine Falls location in 2010 and started the operation in the gated community in 2009.
Last month, Local 2 investigates reported on the growing number of indoor marijuana farms found across the Houston area.
DEA agents said because of the higher potency of hydroponically grown marijuana and increased street value, the administration is seeing a rise in these type of operations popping up in neighborhoods.
