"The entire house is full of marijuana. It's incredible," said Det. Ralph Battres from the El Monte Police Department.
Two thousand marijuana plants in various stages of growth fill every room of the house. According to El Monte police, this was no amateur operation. Detective Battres says this bust is part of a much larger investigation, which began more than a month ago. It led them to an El Monte home last Friday, where they found nearly 1,000 marijuana plants, and then on to three other locations before they ended up at this Rowland Heights address.
"This case is so big that we called in the DEA to assist us on this case, where the suspects can be charged federally," said Det. Battres.
Three people have been arrested so far, all of San Gabriel; 22-year-old Henry Kwong, 25-year-old Yue Huan Mai, and 32-year-old Denise Guan.
"We know that there are more people involved, and this case is going to stay open until we eventually find the big fish," said Det. Battres.
As for neighbors, they say they had their suspicions about the house, and are relieved to know police are now involved.
"Today, my father-in-law told me had a suspicion. I already said that might be a marijuana house, and you might want to call the sheriff or something," said neighbor Pia Malabanan.
"So it's really scary, because those are drugs, and that's what we teach our children -- stay away from it," said neighbor Lana Dilig. "It's just next door."
