Police Name Suspects In Grow House Explosion
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade Police are asking for the public's help finding two people it believes are behind a hyrdoponic lab explosion over the weekend.
Miami-Dade Police named Erisbel V. Herrera and Maylen Del Castillo as suspects in the explosion of a home that allegedly was being used to grow marijuana. The blast on Sunday had such force behind it that parts of the roof were literally lifted off.
"I saw it for myself, the police were pulling out marijuana plants in these big pots from a room in which the crib was sitting," said Daniel Espinosa.
The home, at 6355 SW 151 Place, was deemed unsafe after the explosion, but investigators confirmed that marijuana was in the home. Police weren't unable to determine exactly how many marijuana plants were in the home due to safety issues for investigators.
Espinosa, who is representing the homeowner, described Herrera and Del Castillo as a "nice family with two kids. I believe it was a four-year-old and a six-month-old. The last thing she would've expected is that two parents would be placing their own children in jeopardy."
"They have chemicals, a lot of different types of vapor in there," Det. Alvarao Zabaleta said over the weekend. "They use electricity they steal from the company. Obviously they don't do it by code. They don't do it by professionals. When you combine all these elements it creates a formula for disaster."
Ricardo Gilart lives across the street from the home and said he saw the family leave shortly after the explosion.
"I saw them going very fast," Gilart said. "I was surprised because usually when something happens like this, the people wait for the rescue."
The couple is wanted on charges of marijuana trafficking and child neglect.
"We're just hoping these people are brought to justice sooner, rather than later," Espinosa said. "I'm confident that by the end of the week we should have some answers."
If you have any information about the whereabouts of the suspects, contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
