UPDATE: Officials raid alleged pot ring in San Gabriel Valley

A task force of comprised of sheriff’s and Los Angeles police investigators dismantled a marijuana-trafficking organization that had sprouted indoor grow sites in the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles, authorities said.
Officials carried out search warrants at four houses in Walnut, West Covina, El Monte and the Devonshire area of Los Angeles, and discovered extensive indoor pot growing operations in all but the El Monte location, LAPD Lt. John Radtkey said.
Four suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged ring during the searches, however police withheld their names Friday due to the ongoing investigation, the lieutenant said. The pot ring is suspected to have ties to Asian organized crime.
“They recovered several million dollars worth marijuana plants,” Radtkey said. “In excess of 500 pounds.”
Detectives also seized about $27,000 in cash during the Thursday morning operation, he added.
The investigation was led by detectives from LAPD’s Olympic Station.
Complex hydroponic grow operations were found in the 19700 block of Country Hollow Drive in Walnut, the 2800 block of Mountain Ridge Road in West Covina and at another Devonshire home, Radtkey said.
Officials also raided a house in the 11400 block of Ranchito Street, which was the home of some of the suspects, the lieutenant added.
Suspects were arrested at the El Monte home, officials said, however no grow site was found.
In addition to growing the marijuana, the suspects are accused of stealing an estimated $200,000 worth of electricity from Southern California Edison by bypassing the electrical meters in the grow houses and drawing power directly from the grid, Radtkey said.
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