California 'weed fortress' had 35,000 marijuana plants inside, cops say

Where do you put it?

December 16, 2017

Southern California police seized 35,000 marijuana plants from a weed "fortress" and shut down an operation they believed was bringing in millions of dollars a month.

San Bernardino Police said they detained eight people Wednesday when police and federal agents raided a warehouse that was converted into a multi-level grow house. They said the once-abandoned warehouse was recently outfitted with a 12-foot fence, "fortified doors" and surveillance cameras.

Investigators also raided three properties all owned by Stephanie Smith, 43, of Pacific Palisades, and found marijuana plants in each residence.

Smith was being investigated but she was not arrested or charged with a crime, police said. The eight people detained at the warehouse were also not charged.

CBS Los Angeles reported Smith was taking in millions of dollars per month.

Authorities began investigating the operation after they received complaints from neighbors beginning two months ago, CBS News reported.

Police said the four-story warehouse contained thousands of marijuana plants. The property's electric bill was a staggering $67,000 a month, police said.

San Bernardino Police Lt. Mike Madden called the operations "the biggest grow" he has ever seen in his 26 years on the force.

Authorities began investigating the operation after they received complaints from neighbors beginning two months ago, CBS News reported.

Police said the four-story warehouse contained thousands of marijuana plants. The property's electric bill was a staggering $67,000 a month, police said.

San Bernardino Police Lt. Mike Madden called the operations "the biggest grow" he has ever seen in his 26 years on the force.