LOWNDES COUNTY, GA (WALB) -
The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office shuts down a marijuana grow house and seizes $169,000 worth of the drug. It's their third grow house bust this year.
These growers were stealing electricity to hide the size of the operation.
People who live in the beautiful Lake Alapaha community never thought their quiet neighbors down the street were manufacturing pot inside their home.
"It makes me wish we had a way to go back and run back grounds on people moving out here, because this is something I never though would happen," said neighbor Janet Zeigler.
Sheriff Chris Prine says a tip out of Lanier County led them to open an investigation on the Live Oak Drive home. Officers raided the house yesterday afternoon and arrested, Jacob Musgrove, Johann Murillo, and Victoria Griffis.
"It was pretty sophisticated, they had the glow lights and the water and numerous plants," said Sheriff Prine.
Buckets of fertilizer and chemicals lay piled up on the property, investigators say they seized 169 marijuana plants.
Prine says the growers were stealing electricity to hide the size of the operation.
"They tap into an electrical source and bypass the meters, which you know makes it look like it's a normal house," said Prine.
One neighbor says he can't believe they'd take the risk with three cops living on the street.
"It's definitely surprising especially we have a lot of cops that live in this neighborhood, and I just wouldn't expect it," said Mitt Mekpongsatorn.
Zeigler says she never even saw the people leave the house.
"I stay pretty much at home, and I just figured they were homebodies like me," said Zeigler.
Prine says all of the growers have an arrest history with the Sheriff's Office. They are booked in the Lowndes county jail.
Investigators also found some LSD in the home. Sheriff Prine says they are still investigating and may file more charges.
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