Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Saturday, March 17, 2018 / 9:45 a.m.

INCIDENT: Illegal Marijuana Grow & Theft of Utilities

LOCATION: 26600 Block of Cypress Street, Highland

SUSPECT(S): ** Ongoing Investigation **

SUMMARY:

The Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division - Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) and deputies from the Highland Police Department served a search warrant at the residence and found an illegal marijuana grow inside of a detached building on the property. Over 850 marijuana plants, in various stages of growth, and several pounds of processed marijuana were found. The grow operation used advanced lighting, air conditioning, fans, exhaust blowers and an air-filtering system to control the climate inside the building as well as the odor of marijuana coming from it. Deputies on patrol found the marijuana grow after responding to assist Cal-Fire and Southern California Edison with an explosion/fire of an electrical transformer behind the residence.

Investigators learned the electricity at the location to facilitate the grow operation was being stolen. Personnel from Southern California Edison (SCE) assisted in the electrical theft investigation. Suspects who grow marijuana illicitly will commonly bypass the electrical meter installed by the electrical company. This is done because of the high amount of electricity needed to operate the marijuana growing equipment.

The extreme measures used to illegally grow marijuana endangers the public. An electrical short or overload, as in this case, may cause the unpermitted electrical wiring to fail and result in an explosion/fire in a residential community causing possible injuries to bystanders. The electrical power to the residence will be disconnected so the faulty wiring and electrical bypass will not create a hazard for the public. The loss from the theft of electricity at this location will be several thousands of dollars.

The City of Highland prohibits Commercial Marijuana Activity which includes growing over six marijuana plants at a private residence. Additional information concerning what is permitted can be found in Chapter 9.28 of the Highland Municipal Code.

The suspect(s) will face charges of Cultivation of Cannabis; over 6 plants and Utility Theft (Electricity).

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at (909) 387-8400 or [email protected]. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.



Refer: Sheriff’s Public Affairs
DR #: 651800134
Phone No. (909)387-3700

John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department