20 peopledetained in downtown LA pot bust

Over 20 people were detained in connection with the bust, but arrests
are still being processed.

KTLA News

7:36 PM PDT, March 13, 2011

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- Officers serving a search warrant Saturday
uncovered a dangerous and extensive marijuana lab with "thousands upon
thousands" of plants in a warehouse south of Downtown Los Angeles,
reports said.

LAPD Media Relations Officer Norma Eisenman said officers were serving
a search warrant for a narcotics suspect at an industrial warehouse on
the 1000 block of Santa Fe Avenue around 3 p.m. Saturday when they
found the illegal lab.

The brick building appeared to have been illegally converted into
housing.

When officers entered, they found over 3,000 living marijuana plants.

"As a result of that investigation, [officers] found thousands upon
thousands of marijuana plants inside including growers, lights and
fans," Commanding Officer Matt Blake told KTLA.

Over 20 people were detained in connection with the bust, but arrests
are still being processed.

Officers also found evidence of chemicals consistent for making
methamphetamine and cocaine, but Blake said that lab did not appear to
be active. Blake also said that evidence at the location showed that
it was operating as an unregistered medical clinic.

The westbound I-10 freeway was closed for six hours as city fire
hazardous materials teams and the Department of Water and Power
investigated the area.

Other surface streets were closed as well at Santa Fe and Sacramento
Street.