Police say marijuana seized during raid worth $1.8 million

By Gregan Wingert

Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 | 7:35 p.m.

A married couple and the wife’s brother were arrested Thursday after police raided a suspected marijuana grow house and seized 663 plants worth $1.8 million and 15 guns, authorities said.

Southern Nevada Cannabis Operation and Regional Enforcement (SCORE), a multi-agency task force, conducted a search of a house Thursday night in the 3700 block of Casellina Court, officials said.

The house had been converted into a hydroponic grow operation, authorities said.

Police arrested two men, Erick Gurule, 38, of Las Vegas and Daren Obrien, 47, of Las Vegas, officials said.

Officers also searched a residence on the 9100 block of Sunken Meadow Avenue, less than 10 miles away, and arrested Darci Obrien-Gurule, 43, of Las Vegas, police said.

Police there recovered five firearms and .2 grams of marijuana, officials said.

All three suspects were arrested on counts including possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to sell, according to jail records.

The investigation also police to a third home in the 9200 block of Grassy Weep Court, where 10 guns and a pound of marijuana were found, said Lt. Laz Chavez, of the Metro Police narcotics section.

This operation is among the first major investigations for SCORE this year, Chavez said. “These are criminal enterprises,” he said.

People operating grow houses often take advantage of homeowners renting out their homes during tough economic times, Chavez said. “Foreclosures provide a target rich environment,” he said.

In 2011, 146 marijuana grow houses in Metro’s jurisdiction were investigated, officials said. Police seized 13,003 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $45.5 million.

In 48 of the grow houses, a total of $89,713 cash was seized and a combined 146 firearms were confiscated, police said.