Green Peace

200 marijuana plants found in building

POMONA - Authorities found an industrial building on Wednesday with 200 plants of marijuana worth between $50,000 and $75,000.

Jefferey Maurer, 50, of Ontario was arrested on suspicion of cultivation of marijuana. He was being held at Pomona City Jail, Pomona police Sgt. Joe Waltman said.

Police were called about 3:40 p.m. Wednesday to 380 S. East End. The Los Angeles County Fire Department was conducting building code inspections, and Maurer denied fire officials entry into the building.

After fire officials called police, Maurer had "a change of heart," Waltman said. Fire officials walked in and they could smell weed, Waltman said.

Inside the building were "extensive hydroponics and lighting" with a grow room that had three rooms - one for seeding plants, one for intermediate plants and one for plants that ranged from 18 inches to 3 to 4 feet high, Waltman said.