Sheriff’s investigators raided a marijuana growing operation this week in Canyon Country and arrested one person while seizing more than $6 million in growing and cured marijuana as well as edible products such as cookies.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Marijuana Dispensary Task Force began an investigation after a civilian reported possible illegal narcotics activity and about 8 a.m. Wednesday served a search warrant at a small strip mall in the 27000 block of Sierra Highway, officials said.
Investigators found “an elaborate indoor marijuana grow system … in several of the strip mall units, according to Deputy Juanita Navarro-Juarez.
“An undetermined amount of U.S. currency and 2,484 marijuana plants at various stages of growth were seized,” Navarro-Juarez said.
“An additional 200 pounds of finished product (dried marijuana buds) and 50 pounds of edible THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) infused products, such as cookies, were seized.”
Also found and seized were carbon filters and elaborate air conditioning systems designed to facilitate the growth of marijuana and prevent odors being detected, the deputy said.
The estimated street value of the growing plants is $6.21 million and the dried marijuana and other products were valued at $500,000, Navarro-Juarez said.
Three men were detained at the scene, but two were released and only 28-year-old old George Tunis of Los Angeles was arrested for suspicion of possession of marijuana for sale, Navarro-Juarez said.
Tunis was booked at Santa Clarita Valley Station and released after satisfying a $30,000 bail amount, according to the sheriff’s department.
Tunis is due in court in San Fernando on Friday, according to sheriff’s online inmate records.
