3 Arrested In Connection With Seized Marijuana
A lawyer and a chemist were among three arrested after local and federal authorities seized 860 marijuana plants in a hydroponic farm at a Canoga Park house, police said Friday.
Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration raided a house in the 7400 block of Jordan Avenue on Tuesday, seizing $5 million worth of packaged marijuana, they said.
Their investigation led to the arrest of Randall Lee Stephens, 48, who authorities described as a chemist.
Authorities found “all kinds of books and recipes” on how to manufacture PCP, methamphetamines, LSD and other illegal substances, according to DEA Special Agent Sharon Carter. Among the items discovered were electronically operated fans, irrigation and halogen lighting systems, common utilities in growing marijuana, she said.
As a result of notes found at the Canoga Park house and a subsequent surveillance operation, authorities went Wednesday night to the Encino home of attorney Dale E. Van Camp. There they discovered 10 pounds of marijuana stored “exactly the same way in plastic storage containers identical to those found in Canoga Park the night before,” Carter said.
Police arrested Van Camp, 51, and his wife, Victoria, 43.
No formal charges have been filed against the three, but Carter said because both homes were near schools, authorities are considering filing enhanced charges.
Police are continuing their investigation. “We believe there’s more to this than just marijuana,” Carter said.
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