Home Marijuana-Growing Operation Busted

EL MIRAGE - El Mirage Police stumbled upon a home-growing marijuana operation over the weekend after being called to a home for a domestic disturbance.

On Saturday night, El Mirage officers responded to a call from a 20-year-old woman who said her mother grabbed her and pushed her out of her home.

When officers arrived at the home, the woman said there were about 30 home-grown marijuana plants in an upstairs bedroom. An officer who accompanied the woman inside said he smelled marijuana.

The homeowner, 34-year-old Wesley Waddell, admitted to having marijuana in his bedroom, police say.

A search warrant was obtained and police found 144 marijuana plants and five large jars of hydroponic marijuana, a drug grown indoors and said to be more potent that traditional marijuana.

Police also found cultivating equipment and a small amount of cocaine.

Waddell was arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and production of marijuana for sale.

The 20-year-old woman's mother is also facing domestic violence charges.