Drugs Being Grown In Homes Could Be Growing Trend, Sheriff Says

El Paso — El Paso’s county sheriff, Richrad Wiles, says a recent drug bust at a West El Paso home could signal a growing trend and a shift in the war on drugs.

“I think there is a potential that we could see an increase ofo these crimes because of the nature of the border and tightening that federal agencies have put on the border,” Wiles said.

On Tuesday, sheriff deputies discovered a drug lab inside a home on the 6900 block of Imperial Ridge. Investigators found marigjuana plants and illegal mushrooms.

“I was shocked,” Daniel Rodriguez, owner of Earth Organics said. He specializes in hydroplonics, or indoor gardening. “I can’t believe something like that would happen in El Paso.

Earth Organics supplies many of the same products and equipment used to grow marijuana, but Rodriguez said he does not think anyone doing anything illegal would shop at his store.

“You could get anything over the internet,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t know if anybody would want to come in here and be seen buying something they were gonna use illegally.”

Growing crops indoors provides privacy and a controlled environment.

“Indoor gardening allows you to grow all year round, whether it’s cold, hot,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said plants grown indoors also produce maximum potency. A tomato and chile plant inside his east El Paso store takes up most of the entryway. Rodriguez said despite the negative connotations associated with hydroponic systems, he hopes that others don’t judge him or the customers who purchase products from his store.

“It’s like a gun, if you go and buy a gun, that doesn’t mean you’re gonna go and kill somebody,” Rodriguez said.