Marijuana Grow At MoVal Home: 'No Usable Living Space Left'

MORENO VALLEY, CA — A Moreno Valley home that was turned into a marijuana cultivation site was a fire hazard and illegal, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department announced.

The residence in the 16000 block of Palomino Lane came under suspicion after a neighbor tipped the department about the possible drug house.

"Further investigation led to the authoring and execution of a search warrant" at the home, according to the sheriff's department.

During Friday's law enforcement raid at the property, 1,088 marijuana plants "in various stages of growth were collected for a total of approximately 500 pounds," the department reported.

Deputies also found several exposed electrical wires and an added electrical panel in the residence. There was "no usable living space left" inside the home due to the marijuana cultivation operation, according to the sheriff's department.

Southern California Edison was summoned to the house and a technician confirmed the electric panel was damaged and posed a fire hazard.

"The residence is part of a densely populated neighborhood with occupied homes surrounding it, creating an extremely dangerous environment for the citizens," the department reported. "SCE assisted in interrupting electrical service to the location to avoid the potential of an electrical fire."

No suspects were located in the home at the time of the search warrant, according to the sheriff's department, and no subsequent arrests have been announced.