Three people have been charged in connection to a large marijuana-growing operation run out of a house in northeast Minneapolis.
Large marijuana operation discovered in northeast Minneapolis home
April 7, 2012 at 2:13AM
Matthew Rentsch, 36, of Robbinsdale; David Tallman, 47, of Minneapolis, and Graciela Alavena, 35, of Minneapolis, were charged Friday with drug possession in relation to a home at 643 Adams St. NE., where police said they found a "large, sophisticated marijuana cultivation operation."
On Wednesday morning, police searching the house found that it had been altered to enhance marijuana production, according to criminal complaints. The home's main-level windows had been reinforced with 2-by-4 frames and bars and sealed with foam to prevent the smell of marijuana from escaping the house. Additional vents and air conditioning units had also been placed in the house.
Fans and timers were connected in unison with many 1,000-watt growing lights that simulated sunlight. Rooms had marijuana plants in different stages of development, including a room for stripping and packaging the plants' dried buds.
More than 40 pounds of marijuana were recovered from the house.
According to city property records, the home is licensed as a rental.
Each of the suspects had keys to the house on them when they were arrested.
Tallman and Rentsch both posted bond. Alavena was still in custody at the Hennepin County jail Friday night.
Nicole Norfleet 612-673-4495; Twitter: @stribnorfleet
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