A man in Castrol Valley, California was incarcerated after a daily probation check on Tuesday revealed that he was in possession of 34 pounds of marijuana being protected by a five-foot alligator.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Special Investigation Unit made a stop at the residence of Assif Mayar, 32, on Mount Jasper Dr. around 1:30 p.m. for a routine compliance check, according to KTVU.

While inside the home, investigators found the large stash of dried and processed marijuana as well as a Plexiglas tank close-by that was inhibited by an alligator named Mr. Teeth, Sgt. J.D. Nelson said.

Nelson stated that Mayar purchased the alligator in 1996 in order to "commemorate the death of rapper Tupac Shakur." The reptile was said to be used as a deterrent for "would be marijuana thieves."

"As soon as you get near it - the plexiglass area - the alligator gets agitated," Nelson explained.

Authorities estimate the amount of marijuana Mayar had could be worth over $100,000.

Mayar was taken into custody and booked for drug possession and sales charges in the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, the sheriff's office stated.

Neighbors of Mayar living on the Castro Valley cul de sac told the news station that Mayar was renting out a two-story house with his wife and their two-year-old son along with several dogs, which included a pitbull.

While some of the neighbors weren't surprised to hear of the suspect's involvement with drug dealing, they were shocked to learn that he had an alligator inside his home.

"Having an alligator live across the street from you is outrageous. When I drove up, there were six police cars trying to deal with the alligator," a woman wishing to not be identified stated.

KTVU attempted to approach a woman that was identified by neighbors as Mayar's wife. However, she drove off in a white SUV. Authorities said that her husband may face more charges for not possessing the proper permit for owning an exotic animal.

Mr. Teeth was transported to the Oakland Zoo where zoo workers said he was being treated at its veterinary hospital.

Tags
Offbeat