EASTVALE – (INT) – The Inland Empire’s youngest city is gaining a reputation for rental homes being converted for indoor marijuana cultivations.

The latest site was a home in the 14000 Block of Henry Street. Three men were arrested there when a sheriff’s search warrant turned up a house full of thriving marijuana plants. Chris Voong, Guo Yong Xu, and Shu Qiang Chen are accused of cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana with the intent to sell and theft of utilities.

A special enforcement team has been set up to combat the growing trend of residential indoor marijuana grow operations in Eastvale.

Officials say this type of operation usually starts when a rental home is converted in the interior area by covering most or all of the windows. Room-by-room conversions continue throughout the house by bypassing the electrical meter, installing additional electrical wiring, outlets, circuit-breaker panels, commercial grade lighting and air conditioning units.

Authorities warn these conversions are extremely hazardous and pose a serious fire risk, not only to the home, but the surrounding homes as well.

Story Date: August 24, 2017