The Arizona Republic- 12 News Breaking News Desk Tue Jan 14, 2014 4:23 PM

A Phoenix police officer who thought he smelled marijuana stumbled on to a large grow operation with more than 600 plants and an estimated value of nearly $1.3 million, according to Phoenix police.

Officer Jacob Lewis was on patrol Saturday evening in central Phoenix when he smelled what he believed to be a strong odor of marijuana, according to Phoenix police. Lewis’ investigation first led him to a building near 25th Avenue and McDowell Road, according to Phoenix police.

Investigators made contact at that building with William Becker, who told police he was renting the space to a third party, according to police.

Police served a search warrant on the building and discovered more than 300 potted marijuana plants. Further investigation allowed officers to serve a search warrant at a second building near 30th Avenue and Thomas Road, where more than 350 plants were discovered.

Becker, 58, was booked into the 4th Avenue Jail on suspicion of cultivating and possessing marijuana for sale, according to police.