Two arrested for large marijuana grow in Antioch, Saturday
By Sergeant Wisecarver, Antioch Police Special Operations Unit
On Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 4:47 p.m., the Antioch Police Department along with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District were dispatched to the 900 block of Burwood Way for the report of a large residential fire. Several homes were damaged from the fire that was rapidly spreading from house to house.
Antioch Police Officers arrived on scene and immediately started evacuating citizens in an attempt to protect them from the fire. During the course of the evacuations, the officers came in contact with Qiao Cen and Qiaohui Cen, both 24 years old, who were at one of the houses in harm’s way. It was determined that these two men were running and indoor hydroponics marijuana grow operation at the home. Qiao Cen and Qiaohui Cen were both arrested on numerous drug charges.
The Antioch Police Department Special Operation Unit was called in and took over the investigation. The detectives discovered over 700 marijuana plants growing in the home as well as more than 17 lbs of manicured marijuana buds. It was determined that the marijuana grow had nothing to do with the fire.
This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to contact Detective Magana at (925) 779-6943.