Brokers with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided what they stated was an unlawful “marijuana farm” in upstate New York that was allegedly supplying the drug to unlawful smoke retailers throughout New York Metropolis.
Practically 30,000 marijuana crops had been found on the property in Walworth, close to Rochester, which included greenhouses for the alleged cultivation operation, officers stated.
“While cannabis may be recognized as legal in New York State, large scale marijuana grows that violate federal law are not legal and will remain targets of our enforcement efforts,” stated DEA New York Particular Agent in Cost Frank Tarentino.
Ferrydoon Ardehali, 55, from Staten Island was charged by federal prosecutors of serving to to run the alleged unlawful pot-growing and smuggling operation. Colby Riggle, 27, from California can also be going through drug-related counts which, if convicted, might carry 10 years or extra in jail.
Greater than 3,700 kilos of processed marijuana was additionally seized in the course of the search, investigators stated. Photographs from the property alongside Daansen Highway exhibits rows of marijuana rising in greenhouses.
DEA
DEA
New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams earlier within the week once more highlighted the issue of unlawful smoke retailers. He stated in 2024, the town shut down almost 1,400 retailers and seized over $95 million in unlawful merchandise from illicit shops.
An lawyer for Ardehali stated his shopper “looks forward to exercising his legal rights at the appropriate times throughout this legal process and addressing this matter in Court.”
As for Riggle, his lawyer stated he was only a farmhand working on the farm, and had no half within the possession or firm operating the farm. Riggle was launched from custody on Friday.
“He looks forward to defending himself and the accusations in court as this case moves forward,” stated lawyer Fonda Daybreak Kubiak. “He is not involved in the ownership of the farm and is not part the company controlling the farm.”
FBI brokers and Customs officers together with the Wayne County Sheriff assisted DEA within the investigation.
