Neighbors Shocked To Learn About Huge San Jose Pot Growing Operation
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Neighbors who lived near the San Jose home where a couple allegedly masterminded a massive South Bay pot growing operation said they were shocked to learn about the crime.
San Jose police uncovered the sophisticated grow business early Wednesday with "Operation Greensweep." The business was controlled from a house on Winsted Court, but that wasn't the only home where the plants were in full bloom.
A truck bed filled with mature marijuana plants cut down by San Jose police was just a fraction of what was seized in one of the city's biggest pot raids.
Nearly 1,900 plants were recovered in the operation.
One San Jose property manager told CBS San Francisco she's shocked about the allegations against the suspected couple.
When John Rivas witnessed the home across the street being raided by San Jose police Wednesday, he had no idea -- until later -- the grow was part of one of the largest South Bay pot busts in recent memory.
"Bags of marijuana just stacked up in the garage, I was surprised," said Rivas, who is visiting a relative.
Police said San Jose residents Dean Minh Trinh, 39, and Kim Chai Le, 38 – allegedly masterminded the entire illegal pot grow in seven San Jose rental homes.
The hundreds of plants are estimated to have a street value of between four and five million dollars.
Rizal Maulit lived across the street from the couple. He said although they kept their distance from neighbors, they seemed like a normal working family with a couple small kids.
"well, we are surprised," said Maulit. "We don't notice anything unusual."
But one of the couple's landlords suspected something wasn't right and tipped off investigators in April, which led to "Operation Greensweep."
The property manager for one of the homes said she is shocked and had no idea she'd been renting to alleged criminals.
Police said this may have been part of a larger pot grow operation. They plan to talk to the property managers of the homes the couple was renting from.
