Marijuana Plantation Seized

A marijuana plantation containing 350 mature plants with a street value in excess of $200,000 has been destroyed following a joint effort by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and the Westchester County Department of Public Safety.

The plants were located last week in the Cranberry Pond section of Putnam Valley, less than a half mile from the Putnam Valley Elementary School, during a routine air surveillance by Westchester law enforcement, who were conducting an investigation near the Putnam County border when the plants were observed.

Sheriff Donald Smith met with the Courier last Saturday hours after the operation had concluded to thank members of the Putnam Valley Fire Department for their assistance in the operation. Fire crews used a gator—a six-wheeled vehicle—to ferry Sheriff’s investigators and deputies through “extremely rugged terrain” in order to reach the illegal contraband.

Smith said it took seven hours to complete the operation: “It was well worth the effort, since many of the plants measured in excess of eight feet and were almost ready for harvest. Police working together have removed a large amount of illegal marijuana from the streets of our towns and villages throughout Putnam County and beyond.”

When asked if authorities had any leads as to who was conducting the operation, Smith replied, “Not at this time. Incidents like this are becoming more and more common throughout New York in late summer. The incident remains under investigation and while we hope to discover who the perpetrators are, such cases are very difficult to prosecute because even if a person is observed in the vicinity of the crop, he or she can simply say they were out for a hike. Besides, growing marijuana in New York is a misdemeanor under the state’s Public Health Law. The fines are more like a slap on the wrist. I am pleased the crop has been harvested so that perpetrators will not profit from this illegal activity.”

The plants were removed from the scene and were taken in an enclosed Sheriff’s Department trailer to the rear of the Putnam Correctional Facility, where they were inventoried before being burned at an undisclosed location.

Sheriff Smith was asked if law enforcement believed June’s seizure of a marijuana plantation by State Police near the Tilly Foster Farm off Route 312 in Southeast was related to the Putnam Valley incident. “We deem the recent seizure was perpetuated by different individuals,” he said.