HOUSTON – Three alleged pot growers in northeast Harris County reportedly knew police were on their trail and, according to investigators, ditched $100,000 worth of marijuana plants in a dump to avoid being caught. But key evidence left behind led investigators Monday night to a two story home on Blue Timbers Court and Meadow Mill Forest Lane, according to a report.
Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Allan Rosen said the growhouse had more than $1 million worth of marijuana growing in the home, which he said was elaborately rigged.
"They had water misting, lights, air conditioning," said Rosen, who added he hadn't seen such a set up for growing marijuana in quite some time.
The names of the three suspects were released Tuesday: James Gates, Larry Blow and Sammy Ingle face charges of possession of marijuana. They are being held on bonds of $1.8 million each.
Gates and Ingle both have previous arrest records related to a pot grow house in Fort Bend County from April 2012, Local 2 learned.
Earlier, a source told Local 2 that the reported ringleader of the group owns Southside Smoke Shop, off of Interstate 45, near Edgebrook, but no further information was made available. Investigators are also looking into what connection the growhouse may have had to a block party that was advertised on Southside Smoke Shop's Facebook page set for Saturday that touted a lineup of rap artists from throughout the country and was expected to attract hundreds of people to the free party.
"They had smelling incense to throw off the outside communities. Windows were covered. It was a really good operation," said Rosen about the growhouse at a press conference Tuesday.