'You Can Smell It From The Street': Police Bust Marijuana Grow Operation In Dearborn Heights

DEARBORN HEIGHTS (WWJ) - Police have arrested a Dearborn Heights man for allegedly hiding a large-scale marijuana growing operation at his home.

The 40-year-old man was taken into custody late Wednesday night in the 25500 block of Rouge River Drive, in a residential neighborhood near Beech Daly and Warren roads. Officers remained on the scene Thursday morning.

Police say more than 100 plants were growing inside and outside of the brick ranch home. A large privacy fence surrounding the back yard helped conceal the operation, which included a sophisticated system to fertilize the potted plants.

Neighbors say the smell of marijuana could be detected from the street. Reporting live from the scene, WWJ's Charlie Langton said the skunk-like smell emanating from the home was "unmistakable."

Nevel Parada, who lives nearby, said he doesn't really know his neighbors but they seemed friendly.

"I say hello in the morning when I jog but I don't know what are their names," he said. "Nobody ever thought about this to happen."

Raymond Delude, who lives next door to the illegal operation, said he could smell the plants but didn't really give it much thought.

"I smelled some but I don't know where it was coming from," he said.

An investigation is ongoing.

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