$2M Diamond Bar Pot Bust Connected To 2 Suspects Arrested Last Week
DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA.com) — Investigators Wednesday discovered an estimated $2 million marijuana operation at a Diamond Bar home, which was later connected to two men who were arrested last week.
On Oct. 3, detectives arrested Binh Ly,43, of Rosemead and Thanh Chiem, 45, of San Jose for their alleged involvement in an ongoing growing operation inside multiple homes in Diamond Bar and Hacienda Heights.
More than 2,000 plants, approximately worth $6 million, were found in three homes, Los Angeles County Sheriff's officials said.
"On Wednesday, October 10, 2012, an additional search warrant was conducted after further investigation revealed that another home in the city of Diamond Bar was also believed to be a grow house," Sgt. Jim McGee said.
The search warrant was carried out on a home in the 21000 block of Malad Court, where deputies found an additional 983 marijuana plants, officials said.
"Detectives also learned that electricity was being stolen from Southern California Edison (SCE) at this location," Sgt. McGee said. SoCal Edison estimates $5,000 worth of electricity was stolen by the suspects.
Authorities believe all of the locations were operated by Ly and Chiem, whose bail has been set for $170,000 each.
