Authorities say they found alligator protecting marijuana during Castro Valley probation check
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Castro Valley man is in jail and an alligator authorities say he likely had to protect a stash of marijuana has been taken to a zoo.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/Slr5gA ) when Alameda County deputies entered the home of Assif Mayr Wednesday afternoon for a probation check, they found 34 pounds of marijuana and five-foot 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 says Mayr was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale. He was being held in lieu of $160,000 bail.
The alligator was taken to Oakland Zoo. Officials there described it as very sick and said it was being cared for at the zoo's veterinary hospital.