[link to www.key103.co.uk]

The reptiles were kept in a room with the plants and hissed at detectives who opened the door, according to a Thurston County Sheriff spokesman.

"This was a fairly atypical event," Lieutenant Greg Elwin said.

Police said that standing among the plants and reptiles was an adult entertainer with a floor-to-ceiling brass stripper pole beside her.

"We see brass poles from time to time, but there were alligators," Lt Elwin said.

"They were there for protection for the marijuana grow area. They were just crawling around on the floor."