Recent raids on suburban homes-turned-pot-farms uncovered crimes of another sort related to marijuana cultivation -- energy theft. It didn't compare to the estimated $60 million to $80 million street value of the more than 14,000 marijuana plants netted in several raids Friday at Inland area homes, including three in Corona. However, the suspects -- seven arrested so far -- allegedly stole more than $30,000 worth of electricity per home over several months. The stolen power went to fuel 1000-watt sun lamps, power box converters, industrial-sized air purifiers and wall fans needed for indoor cultivation, according to Investigator Juan Zamora, a Riverside County Sheriff's Department spokesman. [continues 295 words]
REDLANDS Community leaders and educators called for parents, teachers and mentors to join together to create a drug-free society for children. That was the message delivered in speech, song and dramatic reading Wednesday morning at the 16th annual East Valley Red Ribbon Breakfast at the University of Redlands' Orton Center. A crowd of more than 500 crammed into the hall. The event launches a week of anti-drug activities at local schools and celebrates the life of Enrique Camarena, a federal drug-enforcement agent who was killed by traffickers in 1985. [continues 340 words]
