TAMPA — Tipped off by an $18,000 electric bill, sheriff's deputies have arrested a Tampa trio they say operated a grow house.

During a Wednesday search of the house at 12501 Mondragon Drive near Citrus Park, deputies found about 40 marijuana plants weighing 280 pounds, they said. The three suspects also had installed an irrigation and air circulation system. Deputies estimated the value of the plants at $840,000.

Elisabeth Guevara-Saavedra, 33, Raudel Gonzalez-Mesa, 34, and Lexiel Dominguez-Guevara, 18, face charges of possession of marijuana, manufacture of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession for purpose of trafficking and trafficking in marijuana. Deputies also charged Gonzalez-Mesa with grand theft of electricity.

Deputies said the house is within 50 feet of Hope Christian School.