“Oftentimes those living near these indoor grow houses have no idea the dangers they can be in due to this illegal activity. We appreciate the efforts of DCC investigators and their local law enforcement partners as they work to protect us from harm.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
FAIRFIELD – On January 24, 2025, the Fairfield Police Department announced the results of an investigation in which the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and Fairfield Police Officers served three search warrants on illegal cannabis grow houses in Fairfield.
The warrants were served on January 9th at addresses on Gillick Lane, Milton Smith Lane, and Clyde Jean Place in Fairfield. Between the three houses, 2001 cannabis plants were located and seized by the DCC.
With the addition of these most recent operations, a total of 11 illegal grow houses have been shut down in Fairfield over the course of the past six months.
Illegal operations pose significant health and safety risks to the anyone inside or near them, to include neighboring homes and residents, as well as responding public safety personnel.
Dangers include:
Chemical Hazards: Toxic chemicals, including pesticides and sulfur burners, can release harmful gases like sulfur dioxide (SO₂), posing health risks to nearby residents through air contamination.
CO₂ and Propane Dangers: Elevated CO₂ levels and potential gas leaks from propane tanks increase the risks of asphyxiation, poisoning, and explosions, threatening nearby homes.
Entanglement Risks and Electrical Overload: Makeshift wiring and equipment increase the likelihood of fires that can quickly spread to adjacent properties. Overloaded circuits and tampered electrical meters also increase the risk of devastating fires that can impact entire neighborhoods.
Structural Modifications: Dangerous alterations to homes, such as removing load-bearing walls, can lead to collapses, creating hazards for neighboring structures.
Note: One of the telltale signs of a marijuana grow house is the pungent smell – often likened to a skunk or rotting cabbage. Growers use tactics like plastic sheeting, charcoal filters and heavy furniture/false walls to conceal the smell and the bright lights required to cultivate the plants.
The combination of chemical exposure, fire hazards, and structural risks highlights the community-wide threat illegal grow houses pose. Public awareness and cooperation help Code Enforcement and the Department of Cannabis Control dismantle dangerous operations, protecting our neighborhoods.
