Police raid marijuana operation in central Fresno

Marijuana plants and materials used to make a honey oil derivative were seized Friday afternoon by members of the Fresno police major narcotics team in a raid on a home on Clinton Avenue east of Highway 99.

Sgt. Tim Tietjen said a woman was arrested and a man is sought in connection with the sales of marijuana at the home, which followed aerial surveillance of the area. Plants were growing in the backyard of the home and inside the home, as well.

Tietjen said in such operations, the marijuana buds are sold and the other parts of the plants are used to produce the honey oil. Production of the oil is a dangerous operation that often involves the use of gases which can cause house fires and explosions.

Tietjen estimated the crop that was seized would be worth between $250,000 and $300,000 at maturity. He said the team seeks to takes the plants out of production before home invasions or other violence related to drug sales occur in the neighborhood.

Police were acting on a Crime Stoppers tip, Tietjen said.

This story was originally published June 10, 2016 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Police raid marijuana operation in central Fresno."