Nearly $7M in marijuana, edibles seized at Canyon Country strip mall

CANYON COUNTRY, Calif. (KABC) -- Narcotics investigators seized nearly $7 million in marijuana plants and products at a strip mall in Canyon Country.

Authorities from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Marijuana Dispensary Task Force served a search warrant at the mall located in the 27000 block of Sierra Highway at approximately 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Investigators said they found an elaborate indoor marijuana growing operation in several of the strip mall units, and they credit this discovery to a citizen informant who called to report possible illegal narcotics activity in the area.

In total, 2,484 marijuana plants, 200 pounds of finished product, an undetermined amount of cash and 50 pounds of edible THC-infused products were seized.

The street value of the marijuana plants was estimated to be $6,210,000, and the street value of the finished products and edibles was estimated to be $500,000, investigators said.

Authorities also found an elaborate air-conditioning and filtering system, which was used to grow marijuana indoors and prevent the odor from seeping out.

Three men were detained at the scene, but two were released pending further investigation. Sheriff's officials said the third man, 28-year-old George Tunis of Los Angeles, was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales.

He was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's station and has since bonded out.

The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information about this case, you're urged to contact the LASD's Information Bureau at (213) 229-1700. You can also submit anonymous tips by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.