Alligator found guarding Calif. marijuana stash
CASTRO VALLEY, Calif. (AP) - Authorities in Northern California made a snappy discovery during a routine probation check: An alligator named "Mr. Teeth" who was apparently protecting a stash of marijuana.
When Alameda County Sheriff's deputies on Wednesday entered Assif Mayar's home in Castro Valley for a probation check, they not only found 34 pounds of marijuana valued at an estimated $100,000, but also the 5-foot-long gator inside a Plexiglas tank guarding it in a bedroom.
"We get guard dogs all of the time when we search for grow houses and people stashing away all types of dope. But alligators? You just don't see that every day," Sgt. J.D. Nelson told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Mr. Teeth was likely used to deter marijuana thieves, Nelson said. Mayar, 32, told deputies he got the gator to commemorate rapper Tupac Shakur's 1996 death.
"We have come across alligators before, but nobody can remember one this big and situated in such close proximity to act sort of as a sentry to the marijuana," Nelson said.
Mayar, who is on probation after pleading guilty last year to disturbing the peace, was arrested and was taken to the county jail on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale. He could also face citations from the California Fish and Game Commission, including possession of an exotic animal without a permit.
Alameda County animal control officers eventually took Mr. Teeth to the Oakland Zoo. Officials there said the gator was very sick and was being treated at the zoo's veterinary hospital.
Wendy, you could serve him up at your establishment....Have a gator happy hour!
@beernpizza  Where have you been? Out helping NASCAR spend their tax loophole money??????
 @WendyTeagarden just been superbusy.  Been going into every restaurant in town asking for Ms. Teagarden.  ;p j/k, just been super busy especially at work. Have several high profile 'thing' goin on.
@beernpizza Take next weekend off, I'll be in Vegas.
"look at them snappers will ya..."?
@Quaoptician Awesome, haven't heard that one in years lol!
Look at them chompers!!! as Danny Divitos side kick in Romancing the Stone would have said...
'Authorities in Northern California made a snappy discovery'Â Nice pun.
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'Officials there said the gator was very sick and was being treated at the zoo's veterinary hospital.' Hmmm... Green teeth, and sick. I bet that "Mr. Teeth" took a couple or three good bites out of that stash. That should explain it.
Breaking news:
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http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/10/16450197-alligator-like-mr-teeth-dies-after-being-discovered-guarding-pot?lite
That's just horrible. Â When is the wake?
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"And when he came to the zoo Tuesday after an unusual drug bust, he was critically ill and non-responsive."
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Hmmmmm. Â Green teeth, non responsive............I think he OD'd
"he got the gator to commemorate rapper Tupac Shakur's 1996 death." And here all I got was a Franklin Mint Plate Set to commemorate his death.
Hold on to that sucker, it's gonna be worth a fortunes someday. Â
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I'm never getting rid of my Milli Vanilli travel mug.
Poor ol' Gator. Hope he gets well and lives a long life.
A mellow alligator with the munchies?
R.I.P.
"He could also face citations from the California Fish and Game Commission, including possession of an exotic animal without a permit."
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Oh boy. He's in trouble now. I bet that will get him at least a slap on the wrist.
 @RalphCramden I am sure he will do more time for having an alligator than 10,000 pounds of marijuana stashed away.
They will probably add cruelty to amimals now.
Guarding pot....green teeth...hmmmmm, Mr Teeth might be feeling pretty good!
pot addicts
Well, I'd say that gator is VERY appropriately named..! Â Â :-)
Seriously, though, that is a wild critter, and he shouldn't be living out his life in a plexiglas prison... gators aren't exactly cute 'n cuddly, but they don't deserve to be treated like that... Â