Page 18 - IAV Digital Magazine #440

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
Brazen Mom Made Millions Growing
Pot In Guarded Warehouse Near
Police Headquarters, Cops Say
By Max Londberg
A mother police describe as a drug queen was detained on Wednesday in what might be the largest indoor marijuana opera- tion ever discov- ered in San Bernardino, Calif.
Stephanie Smith, 43, allegedly ran the unlicensed operation, which included employ- ees, guards, an advanced drip- irrigation system, multiple buildings filled with more than 24,000 mar- ijuana plants in various stages of growth, and a $67,000 electric bill, according to San Bernardino police.
The outsized electric bill — linked to an old, ostensibly empty warehouse — helped lead authorities to the operation.
Smith earned millions of dollars each month,
according to CBS Los Angeles.
“The huge opera- tion is normally associated with a drug lord,” police said.
Smith lived in nearby Pacific Palisades, and police issued a search warrant of her home and detained her there, according to KTLA.
She had paid cash for two warehouses and a home for the operation, KTLA reported.
One of the ware- houses is on the same block as a San Bernardino police headquar- ters entrance. It was fortified with concrete block walls, gates and armed security guards.
Though voters in California legal- ized marijuana about a year ago, marijuana growers must still have their opera- tions registered and approved by cities. They also must register with the
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
Smith took none of those steps, police say.
Officers described the operation as sophisticated and Smith as brazen, considering the size of the opera- tion and its prox- imity to police headquarters.
An officer described it as the largest he’d ever seen, according
to ABC7.
“This is the largest single grow that I’ve ever seen for an indoor opera- tion,” said Lt. Mike Madden with the San Bernardino police. “There’s just floors with multiple rooms with plants. ... It’s a very, very sophisticated operation.”
Eight people were taken into custody on suspi- cion of marijuana cultivation.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine