Full Notification

DATE/TIME: January 16, 2019, at approximately 11:30 a.m.

INCIDENT: Indoor Marijuana Grow

LOCATION: Rancho Cucamonga

SUSPECT(S): Suspect Identification Pending


SUMMARY:
On Wednesday, January 16th, beginning at approximately11:30 a.m., investigators from the Sheriff's Gangs/Narcotics Division - Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET), in cooperation with deputies from the Rancho Cucamonga Station, served two search warrants at residences in Rancho Cucamonga. Both locations had indoor marijuana grow operations that used advanced lighting, air conditioning, fans, exhaust blowers and air filtering systems to control the climate inside the residences, as well as the odor of marijuana coming from them.

Investigators discovered electricity at both of the locations 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 due to the high amount and cost of electricity needed to operate the marijuana growing equipment.

The extreme measures used to illegally grow marijuana endangers the public living nearby. An electrical short caused by the unpermitted electrical wiring most likely would have resulted in an explosion or fire in the residential community, causing possible injuries. The electrical power to the residence was disconnected so the faulty wiring and eletrical bypass will not create a hazard for the public. The loss from the theft of electricity at the location will be several thousands of dollars.

Rancho Cucamonga has an ordinance prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity, which includes growing more than six marijuana plants at a residence. Additionally, the suspects did not obtain a business license from the city of Rancho Cucamonga, nor did they have a license from the State of California to cultivate cannabis. Personnel from the Rancho Cucamonga Code Enforcement Division responded to begin their investigations. The electrical power was disconnected by SCE and the residences were “red tagged” as unsafe to occupy.

Location #1
13900 Block of San Dimas
1,320 marijuana plants were seized
Electrical bypass located

Location #2
6900 Block of Canusa
1,240 marijuana plants were seized
Electrical bypass located

Anyone with information regarding this investigation 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
Phone No. (909)387-3700
Case No. DR #651900020
DR #651900022

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department