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Riverside County sheriff’s investigators discovered 2.5 tons of marijuana during an investigation that led to the arrest of a Rosemead man accused of running a drug house.

Authorities served four search warrants at four unspecified locations Saturday as part of an investigation into illegal residential marijuana grows and sales.

Coe Hoc Phung, 45, was arrested on suspicion of running a drug house, theft of utilities, marijuana cultivation and marijuana sales. Jail records show he was arrested just after 12 p.m. Saturday on Garcia Drive in San Jacinto.

During the sheriff’s operation, investigators found 4,901 marijuana plants and 110 pounds of processed marijuana, according to a sheriff’s department news release.

They also said they found equipment including 80 fans, 145 lights, two air conditioning units and large amounts of packaging.

Southern California Edison crews determined about $280,000 in electricity was illegally used via electrical bypass setups at all four locations, according to the sheriff’s department.

Phung was booked into the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta and released Sunday after posting $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Riverside County Superior Court in December, according to jail records.

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Desert Sun reporter Colin Atagi covers crime, public safety and road and highway safety. He can be reached at colin.atagi@desertsun.com or follow him at @tdscolinatagi. Support local news, subscribe to The Desert Sun.

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