$1M in marijuana seized in Los Angeles

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HIDDEN HILLS, Calif., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Authorities in Los Angeles said they seized nearly $1 million of processed marijuana and plants at a "home-grow" operation in Hidden Hills.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department served a search warrant at the location Thursday and found 1,000 plants and 40 pounds of processed marijuana, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Officers said they discovered a .40-caliber Beretta semiautomatic handgun at the "home-grow" site.

Deputies arrested Robert Larue, 54, of Lawndale, and Mauricio Lara, 50, of Los Angeles, who were both at the home at the time of the raid, the sheriff's department said.

Larue posted $100,000 bond and was released. Lara was being held on federal immigration issues, the Times reported.

The home-growing operation allegedly had high-intensity grow lights using electricity stolen from a utility company, authorities said.