Illegal pot operation found in vacated office in Costa Mesa, police say

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said it found an illegal marijuana growing operation at a Costa Mesa office complex where deputies went to evict a tenant Tuesday afternoon.

When deputies arrived at the building, in the 3100 block of Airway Avenue, no one answered the door, sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

After getting inside with the help of a locksmith, deputies discovered that the tenant had vacated the building but left behind a small dog and 59 marijuana plants and growing equipment, according to authorities.

Animal control officers picked up the dog, and deputies turned over the investigation of the drugs to Costa Mesa police, Hallock said.

Investigators are trying to contact the tenant who was leasing the space, Costa Mesa police Lt. Vic Bakkila said.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck