VICTORVILLE – A 43-year-old Victorville man was arrested after a search warrant at his home led to the discovery of over 700 marijuana plants.
On Tuesday afternoon at around 3:00 p.m. the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division – Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) and deputies from the Victorville Police Department responded to the 14500 block of Swallow Court in the City of Victorville.
The plants located were found in various stages of growth. Through investigation, it was learned that electricity was being stolen in order to high-powered lighting, air conditioning, fans, and exhaust blowers to control the climate inside the residence as well as an air-filtering system to control the odor of marijuana. Authorities made contact with Bo Di Lin nearby during a traffic stop. Deputies learned of a second location, also in Victorville and served a second search warrant there.
The second location also had an electrical bypass and 450 marijuana plants. Bo Di Lin was arrested without incident and booked into the High Desert Detention Center for theft of utility service and opening/maintaining a drug house.
Southern California Edison (SCE) personnel are assisting with the electrical theft portion of the investigation. It is estimated that between the two locations, several thousands of dollars of electricity were stolen. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials said the theft of electricity can be dangerous due to the risk of explosion and/or fire due to the unpermitted electrical wiring. “The electrical power to both residences was disconnected so the faulty electrical wiring will not create a hazard to the public,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials said. “The electrical power was disconnected by SCE and the residence was “red tagged” unsafe to occupy.” The use of an electrical bypass is commonly used by those operating an illegal marijuana cultivation in order to conceal the illegal operation and in order to avoid the high cost of the operation.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation or is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at (909) 387-8400 or NARC-MET@sbcsd.org. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
