Police discovered this marijuana grow-op in an upscale Surrey home. It was hidden behind a bookcase in the basement of the home. (RCMP)

Two people have been arrested after police seized a large amount of marijuana from a secret room hidden in the basement of an upscale home in Surrey, B.C.

Surrey RCMP began an investigation after receiving a report that the home had been consuming an excessive amount of electricity, Sgt. Roger Morrow said Friday.

A warrant was obtained to search the residence, valued at about $750,000, near 169th Street and 86a Avenue in the Tynhead-Fleetwood area Thursday morning.

At first, officers couldn't detect any traces of a marijuana grow operation such as unusual heat emission and noise generated by running fans, Morrow said.

About 30 minutes into their search, officers focussed on a burgundy-coloured bookcase/wine rack in a corner of the basement that appeared to be out of place.

Police seized 276 marijuana plants in three stages of growth from the secret pot room. (RCMP)

"There's no wine bottles, no books … this bookcase came open on a hinge and behind that was a full-sized [safe] door about three to four inches thick," Morrow said.

When officers opened the industrial quality safe door, they discovered a grow-op.

"From the cloning stage through to the mature plant and even a drying area for the bud of the plant, the occupants had concealed a fully operational marijuana grow-op," Morrow said. "Further, the entire area was well vented to disperse any odors while inside the home."

Police arrested two occupants of the residence, a 46-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, who are both facing charges of cultivating marijuana, Morrow said. It is not known whether the pair own the property or rent.

Police seized about 276 pot plants in various stages of growth and 25 pounds of ready-to-sell dried marijuana, which they estimated has a street value of $300,000.

Investigators will check the residence's hydro records to determine how long the operation had been going undetected, Morrow said.