Busted!
For anyone that's interested, here is the article that was posted on the internet and in our local newspapers about the "Big Pot Bust" in the mobile home of my mother's tenant! As it turned out, this was probably one of the biggest (if not the biggest) stories in our county all year!
This really isn't the kind of notoriety that my family wants, needs or is accustomed to, but such is life. So...Here's the story:
Ovid pot growing operation busted
Press Release
5/16/08
Seneca County Sheriff Jack Stenberg reports that in conjunction with the Seneca County District Attorney's Office, Investigators conducted a search warrant at 2752 St. Rt, 96 Ovid NY on 5/15/08 at 11:00 A.M. After an extensive two month long investigation conducted by the Sheriff's Office and District Attorney's Office, Investigators arrested Timothy J. Coon, 53, of 2752 St. Rt. 96 Ovid NY on charges of Criminal Sale of Marijuana in the 3rd degree(class E felony), Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the 1st degree(class C felony) and Growing the plant known as Cannibus by a person not being duly licensed(class A misdemeanor).
Investigators from both offices concluded that Coon had a highly developed indoor marijuana growing operation located inside his residence that included several high pressure sodium lighting systems, numerous fans and cooling agents set up throughout the residence. This is what lead Investigators to be granted a search warrant. Upon execution of the search warrant issued by Ovid Town Justice Ewing, Investigators confiscated the lighting systems, cooling systems, watering system, drug paraphernalia to include smoking devices and scales. Investigators also took over 100 marijuana plants out of the residence at various stages of growth, some over six feet tall.
Investigators estimate that the marijuana will weigh over ten pounds after it is dried. This is where the Criminal Possession of Marijuana 1st degree charge stems from. Investigators also said that Coon had sold over and ounce of marijuana to a confidential informant leading to the Criminal Sale of Marijuana in the 3rd degree charge.
Coon was arraigned in the Town of Ovid Court in the presence of Justice Ewing. Coon was remanded to the custody of the Seneca County Sheriff with out bail. Coon is slated to appear in the Town of Ovid Court on 5/22/08 to answer to the charges. Investigators also state that as this investigation has led them to the Ovid, Interlaken Willard and Lodi area's and as the investigation continues to unfold more arrests are likely.
(Here are several of the marijuana plants that had been removed from the premises following their being tagged and photographed at the scene. Next, they will be wrapped for transport to a facility where they will be measured, weighed, tested, then returned for secured storage as evidence in this on-going investigation. clh)
Well, that's that. The case has been turned over to the Grand Jury, but I don't have any of the particulars.
See you next time,
~Cynde
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