Law enforcement agents uncovered pot plants worth an estimated $750,000 as they served five search warrants on suspected marijuana grow houses in Patterson on Thursday, Aug. 23.

Patterson Police Services detectives and crews from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department and Stanislaus County Drug Enforcement Agency participated in the operation, which uncovered 1,800 plants weighing 750 pounds, according to a release from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department.

In the process, Phu Van Dinh, 40, was booked into Stanislaus County Jail in Modesto on suspicion of cultivating marijuana and of illegally diverting electricity for a house on the 1300 block of Beaver Creek Court.

The search warrants were for homes on the 500 block of Osprey Drive, the 200 block of Paint Way, the 1300 block of Ossie Street, the 1400 block of Shearwater Drive and the 1300 block of Beavercreek Court.

One resident on the 1400 block of Shearwater, who did not want his identity revealed for fear of retribution, recalled seeing drug agents straining to get through the front door of a house on the block during last week’s raid.

“They had a full SWAT team come in after the cops got the door opened,” the resident said.

He said he saw agents leave the house with two brown bags of what appeared to be marijuana plants.

Cindy Anderson, who lives next door to the house that was raided on Bear Creek Court, described presence of a marijuana grow house in the neighborhood as disgusting and sad.

“We’ve lived here three years, and this isn’t the only time this house has been busted for marijuana,” Anderson said, noting that previous tenants were also arrested for suspicion of drug cultivation. “It’s a safety problem for an otherwise safe neighborhood.”

She said she heard repeated pounding outside the house that morning as she was readying her children for school and went to investigate. When she stepped outside her door, she said she saw a female neighbor in handcuffs standing on the lawn and a male neighbor in the back of a police car. People in full SWAT gear were trying to get into the house using a handheld battering ram, she said.

Anyone with information about these cases can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 521-4636. Individuals can also submit tips online at www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing “Tip704” followed by the message. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.

• Contact Nick Rappley at 892-6187, ext. 31, or nick@pattersonirrigator.com.