AUSTIN -- Austin police busted a large marijuana grow operation in South Austin. Police arrested two men and confiscated what they call a "large amount" of plants in different stages of growth.
In KVUE’s exclusive footage courtesy of Chris Hahn, you can see undercover officers armed with gloves and cardboard boxes busting what they call a "grow house."
"I didn't know what to think. I was shocked. I’ve never seen anything like this, in person,” said Chris Hahn.
Hahn lives next door to the South Austin two-story home. He says he heard a loud banging. Police broke down the wooden front door, leading to what they call dozens of small and medium-sized marijuana plants.
"It took them 15 minutes or so to get in there. They were banging and banging," said Hahn.
Hahn took several photographs of the drug raid that began around 2 p.m. Tuesday in the 1000 block of Gail Street in South Austin. One photo shows officers dressed in SWAT gear and helmets. Another picture shows about a dozen officers waiting outside. A third photograph shows officers entering the home with cardboard boxes.
Hahn says he saw officers take away two men in handcuffs -- two men, he says, were quiet neighbors.
"They really just kept to themselves. You never saw them. When you did, they were friendly. Never had any problems at all,” said Hahn.
Police collected evidence and took pictures but did not find any weapons inside the house.
Detectives are still investigating and processing evidence. They say the owners could face jail time. When police get a final count of the number of plants, they will officially file charges.
