The Sheriff’s Marijuana Enforcement Team and deputies assigned to the Chino Hills Police Department served a search warrant at a residence in Chino Hills for the illegal cultivation of marijuana.

The Chino Hills Police Department received a call from a citizen reporting suspicious activity at the residence.

Spokeswoman Jodi Miller says they served a search warrant at the home not far from El Prado Golf Courses after neighbors reported suspicious activity saying that there was “a variety of traffic at late hours of the night and routinely vehicles,” adding that “they would only be at the residence for a very short period of time and then leave again.”

Investigators began their investigation and found evidence of an illegal indoor marijuana grow occurring. A search warrant was executed, revealing over 1,200 marijuana plants and over 25 pounds of processed marijuana in the residence. Evidence of utility theft was also found; the main power lines provided by Southern California Edison were tampered with, allowing the use of electricity without paying for the utility.

Personnel from SCE responded to the scene to assist with the investigation and to disconnect the electrical service at the location for public safety. Often, suspects involved in illegally growing marijuana will bypass the utility company’s meter to steal electricity service and prevent detection by law enforcement or the utility. This process is illegal and typically results in a fire starting at the location because of the dangerous methods used.

Police said several recent investigations have revealed that rental properties are being used to illegally grow marijuana. Generally, large scale marijuana growing operations are not allowed in residential areas. The city of Chino Hills prohibits this activity. Officials advise tenants and rental property owners to check with city code enforcement divisions or law enforcement agencies to verify whether marijuana cultivation is allowed.

Once the suspect or suspects are identified, the investigation and reports will be sent to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office to be reviewed. The suspects will face charges of utility theft, maintaining a drug house and cultivation of marijuana, the release stated.