$1.5 million marijuana robbery near Bridge Fire in Pinon Hills

PINON HILLS, Calif. (KABC) — Authorities discovered and seized approximately $1.5 million worth of marijuana after conducting a traffic stop near the Bridge Fire in Pinon Hills.

San Bernardino County sheriff's officials said they were conducting safety patrols in an evacuated area Friday evening when they noticed a Chevy Suburban towing a trailer with no taillights and flat tires near Hollister Road.

After the driver stopped, officers noticed a strong odor of cannabis and found about 500 marijuana plants in the trailer.

The county's Marijuana Enforcement Team was called to investigate and authorities eventually served a search warrant on a nearby home, where they found an indoor grow facility with over 700 additional plants and 1,300 pounds of processed marijuana.

The Sheriff's Department estimates the street value at around $1.5 million.

Michael Marquez, 33, of Pinon Hills and Asa Williams of Arizona were arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center.