Cops Bust Suspected Underground Pot Lab In SW Miami Dade
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBSMiami) – For the second time in two days, Miami-Dade police responded to an underground pot lab in the same Southwest Dade neighborhood.
On Tuesday, investigators found the sophisticated operation at a home located at 12485 SW 220 Street, just a few homes away from where another marijuana grow lab was discovered late Monday night.
"Wow, wow. That's incredible. I'm shocked," neighbor Althea Martin said when she learned of the second bust.
Investigators say the elaborate set-up was completely concealed from view beneath the backyard.
PICTURES: Police: Underground Grow House In SW Miami-Dade
According to police and photos provided by investigators, the entrance to the underground laboratory is located in the master bedroom of the residence, underneath a baby crib.
"This is unique in a really tragic way. This is unique where the entrance to the lab is actually in the master bedroom and the entrance is actually underneath a baby's crib," Det. Roy Rutland said.
"That's sad. That's sad," Martin said as she held her six-month-old niece in her arms. "That means they didn't care a thing about their child."
The discovery comes just a day after another clandestine lab containing more than 20 pot plants was found a few homes away, hidden beneath a concrete slab and an above-ground swimming pool.
READ: Pot Plants Found Growing In Covered Over Pool In SW Dade
Police said they believe the cases are connected.
"Of course there's a correlation. These are identical," Det. Rutland said.
"It's just crazy that I pass by it all the time," neighbor Christopher Santamaria said. "I really don't see anything suspicious or anything like that. Crazy that it's here, literally in my neighborhood."
Two people, a man and a woman, were taken into custody.
Police did not immediately release their names.
While the suspects will face narcotics charges, investigators said this is about more than just drugs.
"This is a story about people that are housing toxic combustible chemicals underground," Det. Rutland explained. "You need to understand that these chemicals combined can take down several homes. We've already seen that here in Miami-Dade County."
All told, police seized 31 lbs. of pot worth about $108,000 from the Southwest Miami-Dade home.
Late Tuesday night, a spokesman for the police department said officers were responding to the scene of another possible underground pot lab in Hialeah.
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