Reported explosion leads to discovery of marijuana growing facility in East Texas
UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas (KETK) – A reported explosion in Upshur County led authorities to find a large indoor marijuana growing facility.
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According to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, 911 dispatchers got a call on Saturday around 5:30 p.m. reporting “an explosion following by a car leaving the scene at a high rate of speed.”
Firefighters from West Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and the Gilmer Fire Department responded alongside sheriff’s deputies and Constable Tim Barnett.
“As firefighters and responding officers searched the location for injured or trapped persons, they discovered that the home, along with a detached building on the property, were being used to grow marijuana plants,” authorities said.
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The Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd reportedly helped get a search warrant. In the search of the property, investigators reportedly found more than 70 suspected marijuana plants, ranging from recently-harvested remnants to plants over six feet tall.
Photo courtesy of Upshur County authorities Photo courtesy of Upshur County authorities Photo courtesy of Upshur County authorities
“Thousands of dollars worth of equipment and electronics powered the location and provided artificial sunlight for the plans,” authorities said. “The plants were being grown in large pots containing soil that appeared to be well fertilized and nourished.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but officials said propane cannisters were found inside the structure and a leaking canister could have contributed to the fire. They said there is evidence of a sudden ignition.
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Authorities are still investigating the operation, which they say could expand outside of Texas. Though they have some indicators of who was involved with the grow, they said more investigation needs to be done.
The DEA Tyler Field Office is helping with follow-ups for the incident.
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