Grow House Accidentally Discovered While Police Search for Burglar

North Miami Beach Police Officer John Baker was conducting a routine search for a burglary suspect at an apartment building and decided to knock on neighbors' doors to see if they had any information. When he knocked on the door of apartment number 9 he didn't get any new information...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

May 13, 2010

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North Miami Beach Police Officer John Baker was conducting a routine search for a burglary suspect at an apartment building and decided to knock on neighbors' doors to see if they had any information. When he knocked on the door of apartment number 9 he didn't get any new information about the burglar, but did catch a whole other crime.

Martiniano Perez Jr. who turns 31 tomorrow (yes, tomorrow is his Birthday) opened the door for the police officer. Officer Baker immediately caught the whiff of marijuana, notice plants growing that were visible from the entrance, and realized he had uncovered a grow house. Inside he found an elaborate hydroponics laboratory and 45 mature marijuana plants. More than $800,000 in cash was also found.

Perez was taken into custody, and a search warrant was further secured to investigate the apartment.

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