24 Arrests, Seizure of Thousands of Marijuana Plants
Results of Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Effort

AUSTIN – DPS Director Steven McCraw today praised the multi-agency effort conducted throughout the greater Houston area this week that resulted in the arrest of 24 people and the confiscation of nearly 14,000 marijuana plants.

“This multi-agency law enforcement effort has resulted in the arrest of multiple suspects and the seizure of thousands of high-grade marijuana plants,” said Director McCraw. “Our local, state and federal law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep drugs and criminals out of our communities every day, and they are to be commended.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Peña and United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson today announced that on Tuesday, Aug. 21, sealed search warrants were executed on 60 properties located throughout Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. A total of 40 of these properties were allegedly active hydroponic marijuana grow houses and contained marijuana plants in various stages of the growth. As a result of the searches, 24 individuals have now been arrested.

This week’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation included federal, state and local law enforcement agencies such as the DEA, Texas Department of Public Safety; sheriff’s offices in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; police departments in Houston, Katy, Pearland, Willis, Conroe, Huntsville and Pasadena; Texas National Guard Joint Counter Drug Unit and Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services.

For more information on this effort, visit http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/08-22-2012.pdf.