MCSO busts major illegal marijuana grow operation in Phoenix

PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday uncovered a large-scale marijuana growing operation.

Detectives found the growing operation near 40th Street and McDowell. It is “one of the largest illegal marijuana grows seen in over a decade,” according to MCSO. 

“Probably going to confiscate well over a million dollars of marijuana and product here. Maybe even double that, we’re not sure yet,” Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said.

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Sheridan said a tip from a shipper prompted a three-month-long investigation into the operation. 

“A marijuana grow is not rare. A marijuana grow this large is rare,” Sheridan said.

The operation is accused of growing, packaging, selling and shipping the product to smaller distributors across the country.

Hundreds of plants and large quantities of processed marijuana have been seized.

Three people were detained. MCSO is working with the Arizona Attorney General on a charging decision.

“We have invoices and everything. It’s really crazy how sophisticated the marijuana operation was and it’s all illegal. There’s nothing that is legal about this grow,” Sheridan said.

Detectives also raided a second facility in Mesa used for packing and shipping the product.

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