By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

Authorities are still pursuing leads in what Hooksett police said may be the largest marijuana-growing operation in New Hampshire history.

Hooksett firefighters found evidence of the growing operation after responding to an exterior electrical fire at 24 Evelyn Street.

Police obtained a search warrant for the home, which was unoccupied, and found about 700 marijuana plants inside, said Hooksett Police Detective Lt. Paul Cecilio.

Cecilio said it was a “huge operation.”

“It’s probably the largest in the state, ever,” he said, “indoor or outdoor.”

Cecilio estimated the street value of the marijuana to be at least $1 million.

“We got a lot of dope off the street,” he said.

As of press time, police had yet to make an arrest, and declined discussing information about suspects or the home’s owner.

“It’s still under investigation and we still have suspects,” Cecilio said.

While marijuana plants, both big and small, were found throughout the house, police said the growing operation was based in the home’s basement.

Police found growing and processing supplies including lighting equipment, fertilizers, potting soils, timers and power amplifiers.

Cecilio said the operation allowed plants to be harvested inside, without having to be transferred outdoors.

Residents of the quiet residential neighborhood said the homeowner hadn’t been in the neighborhood long.

“They haven’t lived here very long, and I don’t know if anyone knew them,” said Evelyn Drive resident Marion Jacobi. “No one really knows what goes on behind closed doors.”