Leaky watering system leads to Conn. pot bust

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Overwatering your plants is never a good idea, especially if they're illegal.

Police were called to a three-family house in New Haven on Wednesday on a report of a water leak from a second-floor apartment into the first floor.

Firefighters responded to the apartment, where they say they found a large marijuana growing operation with a leaking watering system.

State and local police returned with a search warrant Thursday and found more than 331 marijuana plants with a street value of about $1.6 million, police said.

Mario J. Pena, 29, of New Haven, was arrested and charged with possessing marijuana with intent to sell, illegal cultivation of marijuana and operating a drug factory, state police said. He was being held on $1 million bond and appeared in court Friday. He did not enter a plea, court officials said.