Police Seize $465K Of Marijuana Plants Growing In 'Quiet' San Leandro Neighborhood
SAN LEANDRO (CBS SF) -- Officers arrested three men suspected of participating in an illegal marijuana growing operation in San Leandro Friday, police said.
Around 10:45 p.m. Friday, officers responded to reports of smoke coming from a house in the 400 block of Linnell Avenue, according to San Leandro police Lt. Robert McManus.
Responding officers did not smell any smoke at the residence, but instead smelled a strong odor of fresh marijuana coming from the home's garage, according to McManus.
Hai Liu, 39, of San Leandro answered the door when officers knocked, and was evasive in answering questions regarding the marijuana smell, McManus said.
Officers proceeded to secure the residence and found Xie Lei, 20, of unincorporated San Leandro and Wenfeng Li, 34 of San Leandro, along with an elaborate clandestine marijuana cultivation operation inside the home.
Officers obtained a search warrant for the house and proceeded to find more than 380 mature marijuana plants and 64 pounds of processed marijuana, McManus said.
After searching one of the suspect's cars parked in the driveway, officers found an additional three and a half pounds of marijuana in plastic bags.
The total amount of marijuana seized is valued at approximately $465,000, according to McManus.
"It is troublesome for us to know that such an elaborate, illegal operation occurred in a quiet, residential neighborhood," McManus said in a statement.
All three men were arrested and booked at the San Leandro Police Department, and the Alameda County District Attorney charged them with cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale.
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