Pot Growers Use Alligator to Protect $1.5 Million Stash

Credit State of Connecticut Department of Public Safety View full size image

During a drug raid, California narcotics investigators found a $1.5 million marijuana growing operation and a 55-pound alligator guarding it.

The Riverside County came across the gator guard, who was surrounded by pot plants , while searching a residential home in Hemet, Calif., on March 7. Officials named the 4-foot-long reptile Wally and referred to him as a "watchgator."

After seizing nearly 2,300 pot plants, the narcotics task force turned Wally over to an animal shelter, as alligators are illegal to keep as pets in California.

Joel Almquist of the Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary described the alligator as "very, very mellow," kwtx.com reports. Alabama Bans 'Cocaine-Like' Bath Salts

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