Law enforcement take down pot house

K-9 officer Duna and handler Sgt. M. Gustafson of the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office were instrumental in locating a marijuana grow center in the Trails End subdivision in Cleveland. Courtesy photos

SJNT staff

CLEVELAND — Strong odors of pot led to the arrest of two people and the seizure of a house used to grow marijuana.

San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said that while answering a call for service in an unrelated matter in the Trails End subdivision last week, Patrol Sgt. M. Gustafson and K-9 Duna noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from a nearby residence.

An investigation was begun, and a search warrant was issued by District Judge Wells of the 411th District Court, he said.

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On Saturday, deputies and investigators searched the residence in the 800 block of Butler Road, and found a manufactured marijuana-growing operation that contained 159 marijuana plants weighing approximately 320 pounds, Capers said.

Some of the plants were almost 9 feet tall, and the estimated street value of these plants is over $635,000.

Two residents, Alejo Lopez, 39, and Alejo Osvaldo, 60, were arrested on charges of delivery of marijuana of more than 50 pounds, first-degree felonies. They currently are being held in the San Jacinto County Jail.

The plants were seized as evidence and the local DEA field office was notified, Caper said, and the investigation is continuing.