Boston - UPI
Boston police said they found $1 million worth of marijuana plants in the basement of a house as firefighters battled a blaze that gutted the residence. Flames were shooting out of the roof and windows of the three-story house Friday when firefighters broke into the basement to shut off power, the Boston Herald reported Saturday. In the basement, the firefighters discovered some 176 mature marijuana plants about 3 to 4 feet high, the newspaper said. "This is the biggest I've ever seen in Boston," said Lt. Robert Merner, a 28-year veteran. "I run the drug unit. We know what's going on. And even my guys were surprised by it." The plants were bred to grow without seeds, which produces a greater narcotic effect he said. "This is not the $20 a bag stuff from the old days," Werner said. "This is very strong, maybe $300 to $500 an ounce." Two people were believed to have lived in the house, though no arrests have been made, the newspaper said.