Deputies responding to burglary alarm find marijuana growing operation

By Karen Brainard

In an ongoing investigation into a marijuana grow operation in a Ramona business park, agents have found approximately 1,000 plants valued at nearly $3 million, said Lt. Hank Turner of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s Narcotics Task Force.

The operation was discovered at 3 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, when deputies from the Ramona substation responded to a burglary alarm at 607 Brazos St., Suite V.

Investigators from the multi-agency Narcotics Task Force were called and determined the growing operation was in suites V, W and X. They found 50 marijuana plants plus growing equipment and a mobile growing room, stated a statement from the sheriff’s department.

Investigators have since found three more indoor grow areas for a total of four, said Turner, in suites R-X, L, M and I.

Agents arrested Edward Hanson, 30, at the scene Saturday morning on suspicion of cultivation of marijuana.

The growing equipment, marijuana food products and plants were seized by agents as evidence, Turner said.

Asked if more arrests will follow, Turner responded, “We hope to. It’s still under investigation.”