Police responding to burglary call find marijuana grow house in Palm Bay

PALM BAY, Fla. — Authorities in Palm Bay discovered a marijuana grow operation while answering a burglary call Tuesday, Channel 9 has learned.

Investigators said they found 39 pot plants in the home.

As it turns out, there was no break-in at the Brickell Street home. The suspect, authorities said, entered through a front window because his garage keypad hasn’t been working.

Police said that when they arrived to investigate the burglary call, they could smell marijuana and even saw some on a dining room table. They obtained a search warrant and found 39 plants in various stages of growth, along with cultivated marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

"They found a grow house in one of the bedrooms of the house," said Yvonne Martinez of the Palm Bay Police Department. "They altered air-conditioning air ducts. A canvas tent inside kind of served as a greenhouse to grow the marijuana plants."

Keenan Lawson, 22, is charged with cultivation of cannabis, marijuana possession and violation of probation.

According to court records, Lawson has a previous conviction for possession of marijuana.

WFTV