Riverside County, California - Narcotic agents entered a home on Monday to find nearly 2300 marijuana plants and a healthy 50 pound American alligator guarding the stash. The four-foot long gator was living in a black cement mixer filled with water seemingly set up to be protecting the 1.5 million dollar illegal marijuana growing operation. Agents dubbed Wally the friendly alligator the "watchgator."

Joel Almquist, who runs Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Phelan transferred the "very, very mellow" reptile to his new home. Alligators are illegal to own privately in California, but have become popular pets according to Almquist.

One of the draws is because they are illegal. That gives them spice to have them. They're cheap and they're fairly easy to get."

Baby alligators are commonly purchased online for $50, and the reptiles are shipped to their destination. Once the animals get too big, however they are released out into the wild. In the last four years, Almquist has rescued 70 alligators.

Arrested was John Nathan Donna, 29, and he was charged with suspicion of the possession of concentrated cannabis cultivation of marijuana for sale. Agents have alleged Donna's house was a front for an unlicensed medical marijuana dispensary. He was released on $100,000 bail.