San Francisco man used alligator to guard $100,000 pot stash, cops say
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police who entered a man's house for a probation check found a $100, 000 stash of marijuana guarded by a five-foot-long alligator.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that when Alameda County deputies entered the home of Assif Mayr Wednesday afternoon for a probation check, they found 34 pounds of marijuana and the alligator in a tank in the bedroom.
Sheriff's Sgt. J.D. Nelson says the alligator was likely used as deterrent against marijuana thieves.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nelson said Mayr bought the alligator—known as Mr. Teeth—in 1996 to "commemorate the death to rapper Tupac Shakur."
Oakland Zoo officials said Thursday that the 5-foot-long caiman died Wednesday, a day after it was seized by Alameda County Sheriff's during a probation check at a home in Castro Valley.
Zoo officials say that the caiman arrived at the zoo critically ill and non-responsive.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nelson says Mayr was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale.
The Associated Press contributed to this report