Raids in Riverbank net hundreds of pot plants

Law enforcement officers seized several hundred marijuana plants in three recent raids of Riverbank homes, Police Chief Bill Pooley said.

He said the most recent raid was late last week when Riverbank police officers along with agents from the Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency found 305 mature pot plants along with 180 pounds of dried marijuana at a home in the 3600 block of Minniear Avenue.

Pooley said the marijuana had a street value of about $750,000. Five people were taken into custody.

Earlier last week, Riverbank officers found 21 mature plants and several ounces of processed marijuana buds at a residence in the 3700 block of Kansas Avenue. Four suspects were taken into custody.

And about two weeks ago, Riverbank officers and sheriff's deputies found nearly 200 marijuana plants and a small amount of methamphetamine at a home in the 5300 block of Roselle Avenue. Three suspects were taken into custody.

Pooley said the marijuana was growing in the back yards of the three homes.

Estimates of the street value of the marijuana in the two earlier incidents were not available.