Pot Houses Pop Up in Southern California

Indoor marijuana farms are popping up in the wealthy suburbs of Southern California.

For the second time in a week Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies have found an entire house devoted to growing marijuana in the eastern San Gabriel Valley town of Diamond Bar, The Los Angeles Times reports.

The homes featured elaborate irrigation systems and overhead lights on timers that were hooked up illegally to bypass meter readings.

One sported an elaborate ventilation system designed to prevent the odor of pot from escaping.

Authorities estimate more than $22 million in marijuana plants have been hauled away from the two houses.

In neighboring Chino Hills, $6 million in pot plants have been found in recent weeks, including 1,300 plants in a six-bedroom house.

They’ve used up growing it in mountains, the outlying areas, and now their next greatest idea is doing it in neighborhoods, said Diamond Bar Mayor Steve Tye.

Last year federal drug agents and local police found elaborate pot farms hidden in nearly 40 suburban homes around Northern California.