Is Marijuana Growing in Your Neighborhood?

Earlier this month  discovered an in northwest Largo based on an anonymous tip.

Marijuana grow operations can be found in any kind of house, although people tend not to grow marijuana in apartments or other housing with shared ventilation systems because of the distinctive smell of marijuana, said Largo Police Officer Anthony Citrano.

How can you tell if marijuana is growing in your neighborhood? Because of the unique smell of marijuana and the intense electrical power requirements for an indoor growing operation, there are many hints that show marijuana may be growing near you, Citrano said.

Common Signs of Marijuana Grow Operations:

• Fans, scrubbers, and air fresheners running to mask the "intense robust organic" smell of marijuana
• Heavy traffic in the area of the house by foot, car and bike
• Groups of people staying short periods of time
• People coming at all hours
• Growing marijuana takes lots of power, so watch for extra power cords and generators
• Large amounts of trash, including vegetative trash in bags
• Large amounts of vegetative aids such as fertilizer and planters without seeing the landscape outside of the home to go with it
• Covered exterior vents like roof gables and no open windows to keep the marijuana smell contained
• Power and lights are used but you never see anyone collect the mail or see a person in the yard

Let police know if you see suspicious activity. Sometimes people may just be staking out an area or observing patterns. If they see a police car, they realize the neighbors are observant. People know their neighborhoods, Citrano said. 

"If it seems out of the ordinary, it is," Citrano said.

Some ways to contact authorities for non-emergency reports/tips:

• Crimestoppers at 1-800-873-8477 
• Largo Police non-emergency phone is (727) 587-6730
• Pinellas County Tip line (727) 582-2828