MINT HILL, N.C. -- Police said a Mint Hill man led them right to a huge drug-growing operation at his own home, just blocks from their office.

"He came in here earlier this week saying someone had jumped him in his back yard, and he looked pretty bad," said Mint Hill police Lt. John Rowell.

Rowell said 40-year-old Michael MacConnell obviously didn't want officers at his house so he came to them.

"If you were assaulted, would you come here to the police department or would you just call 911?" Rowell asked.

When officers went with MacConnell back to his home on Lawyers Road, they found 300 marijuana plants growing inside and several containers of chemicals in the basement. Mint Hill officers backed out of the house and called in agents with the State Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Late Thursday, chemists were still studying the chemicals to determine what they are. Despite speculation, police are not yet saying whether they believe MacConnell was running a meth lab out of his home.

Neighbors told Eyewitness News they thought something strange was going on for some time.

"He never came outside, and had lights on all night long," said Ward Williams, who moved in next to MacConnell only a month ago.

"I never met him. I've seen him, but he never said, 'hi,' or anything," Williams said.

He said he never saw any other cars or strangers hanging around his neighbor’s house.

Police said that's because MacConnell probably wasn't selling drugs from his home. However, at least 30 pounds of marijuana was found already processed, investigators said. Rowell said they found no ledgers or records inside of drug sales.

As for the reported assault, Mint Hill police said it does appear that MacConnell was attacked and neighbors reported they heard two gunshots in the area early Tuesday morning. No one has been charged in that case.

MacConnell faces charges for trafficking, manufacturing and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. He's being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail.

Williams said he never smelled the marijuana growing next door and he is still surprised about what was allegedly going on.

"I can't believe it really. It's just a shame," he said.