A Lake Worth man arrested for the hundreds of marijuana plants allegedly found in his house told deputies he grew the pot to save his home from foreclosure, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
Greg Baskin, 56, was arrested Thursday and faces charges including marijuana trafficking and possessing marijuana with intent to sell, according to online jail records. He was held in jail on $30,000 bond.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said it was alerted to the illegal growing after a caller said Baskin has been growing the plants in his home for the last 14 years.
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While conducting surveillance on the home, investigators said they smelled the odor of raw marijuana. They also heard what sounded like an air conditioner operating during 66-degree weather, the newspaper reported.
Deputies said air conditioning can counteract heat produced by artificial lighting of plants.
Investigators confronted Baskin when he pulled into his driveway.
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"[He] made the spontaneous statement that he was growing pot to save his house from foreclosure," a report said.
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Deputies said one bedroom of the home acted as a "fully operational indoor cannabis manufacturing laboratory" where 60 12-inch plants grew, according to a report. There were also 120 other plants that sprouted in the room’s corner.
Another bedroom had 14 5-foot plants, the newspaper reported.
Furthermore, the garage walls were covered with "silver insulation sheathing" to reflect light toward 116 plants.
It wasn't immediately known if Baskin had an attorney.
