Two arrested in underground pot growing operation in Arlington

The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested two people in connection with an underground marijuana operation in the back yard of a house off South Collins Street, a DPS spokesman said Wednesday.

Tri Vo, 31, and Jlicia Perry, 26, were arrested and taken to Tarrant County Jail. They each face charges of cargo theft over $200,000, engaging in organized criminal activity and possession of marijuana between four ounces and five pounds, said Sgt. Lonny Haschel, DPS spokesman.

Haschel said he didn’t know whether they owned the house or were renters.

Agents were searching the house in the 5800 block of Magnum Drive on a separate theft case when they found an underground room about 20 feet from the back door that was covered by an outdoor deck, Haschel said Tuesday.

Under the deck was a covering that led to a hole about 9 feet deep, he said.

After climbing down a ladder already there, agents found an area about 14 feet wide and 8 feet high containing about 100 marijuana plants. The underground area had concrete floors, concrete walls and electricity, he said.

Agents were originally searching the house on a cargo theft case and found electronic equipment, he said.

“They weren’t planning on finding the big marijuana thing in there,” Haschel said.

Star-Telegram reporter Mitch Mitchell contributed to this report

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 6:21 PM with the headline "Two arrested in underground pot growing operation in Arlington."