(Photo Courtesy: Pomona PD) Elaborate marijuana grow operation in Pomona

Staff Reports

(Photo Courtesy: Pomona PD)
Phillip Startsman, marijuana grow mastermind

Pomona – Officers from the Major Crimes Task Force followed up on a tip of a “marijuana grow” operation located at 2713 N. Towne Ave., an industrial area in the City of Pomona.

According to the Pomona Police Department, when Officers arrived, they smelled a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the business. Officers subsequently wrote a search warrant for the location.

On Fri., Mar. 6, at approximately 1 p.m., Officers served the search warrant and located a sophisticated marijuana grow operation.

Suspect Phillip Startsman, 35, was found to be the mastermind behind the elaborate operation.

Officers recovered approximately 630 mature marijuana plants with a weight of over 300 pounds. The marijuana had an estimated street value of over $1,000,000.

The illegal operation was found to be a hub for the distribution of marijuana to local dispensaries. Suspect Startsman was arrested and charged with Health and Safety Code violations, including Cultivation of Marijuana, and Possession of Prescription Drugs for Sale.