No Bond For Couple Accused Of Running Miami Grow House
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A couple accused of running a grow house in Miami is being held without bond until a special hearing is had to ensure they can post bail with clean money.
Imran Siddiqi and Farah Lakhani were arrested Tuesday after Maimi-Dade police said they found a marijuana growing operation at their home at 12645 SW 93rd Place.
According to the arrest report, officers were first made aware of a potential pot making scheme after a receiving a tip from Crime Stoppers.
The investigating officers said when they arrived at the residence they smelled a strong odor of marijuana.
The arrest report states officers first made contact with Lakhani who said she had to call her husband before they could enter the home. In the meantime, an search warrant was being prepped for the cops.
A short time later, Lakhani and her son exited the home so that police could sweep through. But as the police entered, Lakhani then reportedly shouted out that her husband and mother were still inside.
During the security sweep, police said they found Siddiqi, whose hands were covered in a white powdery substance, in a hallway adjacent to the master bedroom. They also found Lakhani's mother, Shahida, praying in a bedroom.
Authorities said everyone was escorted out of the home without incident.
The arrest report states that police were unable to enter a locked garage during the security sweep.
According to the report, Siddiqi told police he had the key to the garage but that it could only be entered from the exterior. He then handed over the key to the officers.
The officers said they found inside the locked garage "two fully functioning marijuana hydroponics." Further inspection revealed a total of 64 pot plants.
While Siddiqi and Lakhani were locked inside a marked patrol car, a hidden microphone recorded their conversation.
The arrest report states Siddiqi told his wife to deny any knowledge of the operation and that he hid money inside walls throughout the house.
Police said they found more than $10,000 stashed around the house and another $2,100 in Siddiqi's pocket.
Siddiqi and Lakhani were arrested and taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Detention Center.
They are both being charged with the trafficking of cannabis over 25 pounds, the possession and manufacturing of a controlled substance with a minor present and grand theft of the third degree.
They now have to wait for a Nebbia hearing to prove any money used to post bond does not come as a result of illegal activities.
