Four men will be considering new career options after Tustin police discovered a major marijuana growing operation that led to their arrest and the seizure of nearly $1 million worth of the drug.
"This was a pretty sophisticated operation" that housed marijuana in warehouses and homes, the sergeant said.
An anonymous tip received a few weeks ago led police to set up surveillance of a Tustin residence on Linda Lane which then led investigators to a Santa Ana warehouse on Grand Ave., Blair said.
Tustin police, with help from Newport Beach police and Orange County Auto Theft Task Force investigators, searched both locations Tuesday. Marijuana, scales, packing materials and handguns, assault rifles and a shotgun were found at the Linda Lane address, Blair said.
The warehouse had been adapted into a large-scale marijuana grow house where more than 600 marijuana plants in various stages of maturity were found, Blair said. Investigators also found surveillance equipment at the warehouse, he said.
Joseph Mario Frias, 45, Jose Luis Bravo Cuevas, 55, Mario Donan Orejel, 22, and Mark Anthony Thiry, 21, were arrested Tuesday, Tustin police Sgt. Jeff Blair said.
All but Cuevas were released from Orange County Jail after posting bail. Cuevas remained in custody in lieu of $20,000 bail, according to jail records.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
Additional searches at another warehouse and residence in Santa Ana found more than 300 marijuana plants, 10 pounds of processed marijuana, and a ballistic military- style vest, he said.
More arrests are expected as the investigation continues, Blair said.
