Sheriff busts pot-growing operation in Diamond Bar home

An unusually high electricity meter reading led Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators to a Diamond Bar house where they seized more than 1,000 marijuana plants from an indoor growing operation, CBS Los Angeles reported.

Investigators shut down the greenhouse operation and arrested two men at a $1-million home in the 24000 block of Highcrest Drive, the station reported.

“It’s pretty surprising. It’s a pretty nice community so you wouldn’t expect that to happen here,” neighbor Chris Cadiz told the station.

Sheriff’s investigators said they have made 30 such busts in the last year in the San Gabriel Valley. They estimated there were more than 2,000 plants -– each worth about $2,000 -– at the Diamond Bar house.

Detectives were led there by a tip from Southern California Edison after a technician picked up on the high power reading. They said the house, which they believe was rented, was outfitted with powerful grow lights and an air-filtering system to conceal smells.

“They did a good job concealing it, but you can’t hide that forever,” said Lt. Nick Tippings of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.

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-- From a Times staff writer

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