Exclusive: Miramar Police Set Off Explosive Device To Enter Marijuana Grow House
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MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) – Neighbors in the Monaco Cove community in the western part of this city say they were alarmed by a stunning site and noise as an explosive device was used by police so they could enter a marijuana grow house.
In an exclusive interview with CBS4's Peter D'Oench, a neighbor, Chris Koval, said, "They pulled up to the house with a huge armored SWAT vehicle and I heard them say, come out, come out, come out. And after about a half hour, they put an explosive device on the home and they blew out the front door and went in."
Koval showed D'Oench iPhone video that he took and you could hear a loud boom as the explosive device was set off.
Miramar police spokeswoman Tania Rues said officers have been forced to use explosive devices to enter homes when suspects refuse to obey orders to come out and police are unable to get through doors.
Rues confirmed that officers on Thursday were forced to use an explosive device.
A SWAT team and dozens of Miramar police officers and cruisers descended on the community just north of Miramar Parkway at SW 191st Avenue.
Rues told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that police busted a grow house.
"It was small in nature," she said. "It was not large or significant."
She said the extraordinary police presence was normal when narcotics warrants were being served. She said such warrants are served every day on South Florida.
Rues said a man and woman were taken into custody. They have not been identified. They could face drug-related charges.
Neighbors told D'Oench they were alarmed by the developments in their family-oriented community.
Koval said, "It's shocking. We live in a very safe part of the neighborhood here in Sunset Lakes and it is beautiful."
Another resident named Estelle said, "Well I am shocked. I can't imagine anything like that happening here."
One resident named Pria Y. said, "To be honest this is a family neighborhood. We never really expected anything like this ever."
Another resident who did not give his name said, "This is unbelievable. I had no idea something like this was going on."