The Master Bathroom
acts as yet another room for marijuana growth.
Photo: Eastvale News
Electricity bypassed via a self-made panel in the garage.
Photo: Eastvale News
Another bedroom where marijuana was grown.
Photo: Eastvale News
Special lights hang over pots of soil where marijuana was grown.
Photo: Eastvale News
BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL
Eastvale – Marijuana Grow Houses have been a hot topic for the past few years, and local law enforcement agencies such as LEAFF, along with the City of Eastvale, have attempted to make residents aware of the warning signs of these illegal operations. The City has also passed an ordinance in an attempt to make homeowners and landlords more responsible for their properties.
On Sat., May 10, another marijuana grow house was shut down and it happened because neighbors were tuned into these warning signs, and the homeowner listened to their concerns and performed a property inspection.
Over the last few months, neighbors had noticed suspicious things going on at a rental residence on Ivywood Court. Different people were seen going in and out of the house; there appeared to be construction going on inside, with doors and drywall put outside; and pit bulls suddenly appeared in the backyard. Neighbors contacted the homeowner and let her know what was going on. The homeowner then contacted the renters and demanded to perform an inspection. What she found when she walked into her home was shocking.
The entire house had been converted into a marijuana grow house, with each and every bedroom specially modified, ventilated and temperature controlled to facilitate the growth of the plants. There were containers of soil and plants in various stages of development – with the appearance of a recent cultivation, as only one room was completely full with young plants. Chemicals, solutions and fertilizers lined bathroom counters and filled closets. Floors were covered with dirt and water and the ceiling was damp from leaking water. Electricity was bypassed via a hole in the garage where a custom panel had been made. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the estimated electrical theft was around $64,000. The renters had absolutely no regard for the safety of the house or the surrounding neighborhood.
The City of Eastvale’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) responded to the residence around 1 p.m. on May 10, and seized 338 marijuana plants and 10 ounces of processed marijuana. Sgt. Davis, who heads the SET, was able to bring his team in and make quick work of seizing the marijuana, but unfortunately the occupants were not in the residence at the time. The investigation is on-going and hopefully the suspects will be apprehended.
Even though the homeowner was vigilant about checking the condition of her home, she is left with a property that has been completely reconfigured to grow marijuana and as a result, has extensive damage.
“This house has a lot of damage, but it could have been much worse” said Sgt. Davis. “We have seen houses where the walls are black from mold and torn up to bypass the electricity.” While the damage could have been much worse, the neighbors of Ivywood Court are happy that the grow house they have long been suspicious of has finally been shut down, returning their cul-de-sac to the family friendly neighborhood it has always been.
The Eastvale Police Department is committed to the safety of the citizens of Eastvale and will be vigilant in investigating all crimes of this nature. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Officer Javier Morando at the Jurupa Valley Station at (951) 955-2600.
