Marijuana Grow House Discovered One Block From Etiwanda High School

Deputies discovered a marijuana grow house Wednesday in a neighborhood one block south of Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, sheriff's officials said Thursday.

"The operation was a large scale hydroponics set-up with over 900 plants in various stages of growth," sheriff's officials said.

There was no one home when deputies responded to a report of indoor marijuana cultivation at the residence in the 13400 block of Rogue River Drive before 5 p.m. May 22, according to a Sheriff's Department news release.

"The residence is a 4,000 square foot, two story rental managed by a management company," sheriff's officials said. "The company made numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact the tenant for an inspection due to unusually high water usage."

Someone with the management company entered the residence after posting a 24-hour notice for inspection and discovered the marijuana grow, sheriff's officials said. Rancho Cucamonga deputies contacted the sheriff's Marijuana Enforcement Team, and investigators obtained a search warrant.

"Southern California Edison Revenue Protection Investigators responded to assist with an electrical bypass discovered at the residence," sheriff's officials said. "Investigators found that the suspect(s) bypassed the electrical system and had stolen in excess of $16,000 in utilities during the past year."

All of the second floor and one room on the first floor were set up for growing marijuana, sheriff's officials said. One room contained a bed, which indicated someone occasionally stayed in the home.

"Exposed electrical wiring with a high potential for fire was found throughout the residence," sheriff's officials said. "Extensive damage was caused from construction of grow rooms and installation of grow equipment."

Rogue River Drive is one block south of Etiwanda High on Victoria Street, and it is just north of the 15 Freeway.

Investigators urged anyone with information about whoever stayed at the home to call the sheriff's Narcotics Division at (909) 890-4840. Anonymous tipsters can call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information at www.wetip.com.