A local electric company is asking for the public's help in fighting marijuana grow houses.

Officials at Withlacoochee River Electric say that since 2006, 152 grow houses have been busted that were all stealing electricity. Officials say all of the stolen electricity has cost them about $2.4 million.

To help fight electricity theft, they are now offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of grow house operators who are stealing electricity.

Investigators with the Citrus County Sheriff's Office said the stolen electricity is often used to power the air conditioners, 1000-watt light bulbs and other electrical equipment used to grow marijuana.

Two recent investigations into Citrus County grow house illustrate why the electric company is offering the reward.

On Wednesday, deputies searched a house on West Meadow Street in Homosassa after receiving information from Withalcoochee River Electric about a report of power theft at the home.

Deputies said they found 33 marijuana plants inside the house, as well as several specialized items of paraphernalia used to grow marijuana.

The resident, Juan Gomez, 47, was arrested on felony charges of cannabis cultivation and theft of services.

The following day, deputies searched a home on North Maltese Drive in Citrus Springs and seized 88 marijuana plans, pieces of grow equipment and an undisclosed amount of cash, investigators said.

Two people - Janiel Evaristo Lazala, 27, and Odisa Garcia Soto, 49 - were arrested on charges of cultivation of cannabis and tampering with utilities.

Officials said the suspects in this case were also found to have been diverting electricity to power the grow operation.