Posted on Mon, Mar. 16, 2009
Big pot bust made at north Modesto business
Bee Staff Reports

last updated: March 16, 2009 05:51:52 PM
Modesto Police and the Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency siezed 1.5 million dollars worth of marijuana plants from the Solar Wolf Tanning Bed Repair shop at 503 Bangs Avenue in Modesto, Monday afternoon. Interior with lights and hydroponic water system. March 16, 2009. (Bart Ah You/The Modesto Bee) - Modesto Bee - Bart Ah You

Modesto police and officers from several other law enforcement agencies are at a business on Bangs Avenue where they've discovered about 1,300 marijuana plants under cultivation.

Police spokesman Sgt. Brian Findlen said about 400 of the plants were ready for harvest for pot that would have had a street value estimated at more than $750,000. Another 900 plants were under cultivation.

Had all the plants been reached harvest, the total value of the pot growing at the Solar Wolf tanning bed repair shop would have exceeded $1.5 million, Findlen said.

Police obtained a warrant to search the shop as part of an investigation that Findlen did not otherwise describe.