300 MARIJUANA PLANTS SEIZED AT 'GROW HOUSE'

Madison police responding to a landlord's report of tenant problems
found a residence on the Far East Side that was converted into a "grow
house" for marijuana.

About 300 marijuana plants were seized Thursday from the home in the
1500 block of Droster Road, police said. Members of the Dane County
Narcotics and Gang Task Force put the value of each plant at between
$800 and $1,000.

Authorities are now looking for the people who rented the
property.

Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain said that like other grow houses
found across the country, the single-family home on Droster Road was
being used strictly for growing pot.

"Nobody had ever moved in, as far as furniture," DeSpain said, adding
it is the first time he is aware of that a home has been rented or
purchased solely for the purpose of growing marijuana.

DeSpain said the landlord was having trouble reaching the male
tenants, who "had been making changes to the inside of the home" as
well as some alterations visible from the outside.

Concerned about the property, the landlord had his insurance agent
come to the house, DeSpain said, adding that the agent "thought he
smelled marijuana."

The landlord then contacted police, who found "marijuana plants
growing in various parts of the house," DeSpain said.

"It's clear they had to do rewiring," he said, adding that grow lights
and duct work also had been installed.

How to spot a home used for growing pot

A number of factors could indicate that a home is being used as a
house for growing marijuana, including:

Residents are rarely home and spend brief periods of time
there.

Visitors act strangely or come at odd hours.

Windows are covered up. Bright lights may be seen escaping from
windows, and windows may have condensation on them. Windows are always
closed, and no air conditioners are used.

Equipment such as large fans, lights, and plastic plant containers are
carried into the home.

Sounds of construction or electrical humming from equipment may be
heard.

Electric meters are tampered with, and there are signs of digging or
disturbance around the outside meter box. There may be localized
surges and decreases in power.

A strong, skunk-like odor can be smelled from outside the house.