COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — An Avondale man accused of growing $150,000 worth of marijuana in his backyard will be in court again Wednesday.
Gilberto Leon, 60, was charged with production of cannabis after police looking for a burglar found 11 potted marijuana plants in his yard in the 3000 block of North Kimball Avenue on Aug. 8, court records show.
Officers had been called to the area after police received a 911 call that someone suspicious was walking through an alley on Kimball and peeking into backyards, according to an arrest report.
As officers peered into Leon's yard about 10 p.m. on Aug. 8 — looking for the burglar — they spotted two marijuana plants, the arrest report said.
The officers hopped Leon's fence and found nine additional plants, valued all together at $150,000, court records show.
When backup arrived, police cut the lock on Leon's iron fence, entered his backyard and began digging up his plants, according to the arrest report. Police live-tweeted photos of the plants about 11 p.m. on Aug. 8.
1461 Tact Team searching for a burglar,3100 blk Kimball when they spot 11 cannabis plants in a yard. Owner arrested. pic.twitter.com/RIhpdXRBD6
— Chicago PD 14th Dist (@ChicagoCAPS14) August 9, 2015As the officers investigated, Leon, who had apparently been inside his home, stepped outside and demanded: “What are you doing on my property?" the arrest report said.
Police then asked Leon to sign a search consent form, and searched his house and garage. No additional marijuana was found, police said.
Leon allegedly told police the plants were growing naturally in his yard because his friends sometimes smoke marijuana in the yard and the seeds must've spread, the arrest report said. Photos from the scene show that the marijuana was planted in pots of various sizes.
Leon also told the officers he didn't know it was illegal to grow marijuana, police said.
Leon was charged with cannabis production and ordered released on his own recognizance on Aug. 9. He's slated to appear in court for the first time since his bond hearing at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
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