Police arrested a Chicago man Wednesday for allegedly growing more than 100 marijuana plants in his Irving Park neighborhood business.
Paul Sherman, a 50-year-old photographer, was charged with felony marijuana manufacturing and weapons violations. Police said gang enforcement received a tip about a "exotic hydroponic operation" that led them to the 3900 block of North Elston Avenue.
They found more than 100 marijuana plants, pans full of marijuana buds laid out on the bathroom counter, $30,000 in cash and two illegal firearms, police said.
The plants, which reportedly weighed more than 500 pounds, have a street value of more than $500,000, police said.
Neighbors in the area said they had no idea the plants were being grown or that there was any criminal activity taking place.
