Deputies responding to burglary call find marijuana operation
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responding to a burglary call in a Rancho Palos Verdes neighborhood stumbled upon a $1-million marijuana-growing operation, authorities said.
About 2:30 p.m. Thursday, deputies were dispatched to the neighborhood, where they surrounded a home, believing a burglary suspect could be inside, authorities said. A man, Tom Kim, 37, emerged from the house and was detained.
After clearing the house, the deputies found an “elaborate marijuana grow operation,” according to authorities.
Hundreds of plants were found in the backyard and throughout the house as well as $10,000 in cash, the Sheriff’s Department said. One room contained a number of marijuana-filled jars, packaging material and a scale, the department said.
The marijuana was estimated to be worth about $1 million, the department said.
Kim was arrested, officials said, and his common-law wife, Molly Hwang later turned herself in to authorities. They were later released on $100,000 bond.
Their child, who was at school during the raid, was taken into protective custody, officials said.
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