Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Forks Township police early Friday morning raided a marijuana grow house just outside the township park and took four people in custody, Chief Greg Dorney reports.
It wasn't immediately clear who was renting the home and who was just there.
Dorney did not immediately identify the suspects at 1186 Sycamore Ave., which is a large home in the suburban development that neighbors said has been around for more than 15 years.
The previous resident moved out about a year ago and the home has extra high ceilings in the basement, ideal for a grow operation, neighbors related.
The Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team made entry just after 6 a.m., Dorney said.
The chief called what was found, mostly in the basement, "a substantial marijuana grow lab."
When asked to estimate how many plants there were, Dorney said there were too many to venture a guess.
A shed to the rear of the house and both garage doors were opened by 7:45 a.m.
There were three small children in the home as well as the four adults, and relatives from New York drove up to take custody about 9 a.m., Dorney said. The children's mother was the last suspect to be brought out, after the children were safely on their way to New York.
The investigation came together quickly in the past several days, Dorney said. But, citing the integrity of the ongoing probe, he wouldn't say what led police to the house, which butts up against the park just west of the walking path that leads to athletic fields.
The state police Clandestine Lab Team will process the home, Dorney said, and the drugs will be removed.
Two vehicles with New York plates were confiscated and taken away on a flatbed truck.
Neighbors said they weren't surprised by the police action, although one guessed it was a methamphetamine lab rather than a grow house.
The home's owner, which county records say is Raymond Rodnite, of Long Island City, New York, was on the phone with a man outside the home, trying to get information on the drug bust.
The owner seemed focused on getting the door closed once the investigation ends. The jam was broken, the man at the scene said into his phone.
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Full Article: Forks police raid marijuana grow home near park, arrest 4 | lehighvalleylive.com
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Photo Credit: Ted Soqui
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It wasn't immediately clear who was renting the home and who was just there.
Dorney did not immediately identify the suspects at 1186 Sycamore Ave., which is a large home in the suburban development that neighbors said has been around for more than 15 years.
The previous resident moved out about a year ago and the home has extra high ceilings in the basement, ideal for a grow operation, neighbors related.
The Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team made entry just after 6 a.m., Dorney said.
The chief called what was found, mostly in the basement, "a substantial marijuana grow lab."
When asked to estimate how many plants there were, Dorney said there were too many to venture a guess.
A shed to the rear of the house and both garage doors were opened by 7:45 a.m.
There were three small children in the home as well as the four adults, and relatives from New York drove up to take custody about 9 a.m., Dorney said. The children's mother was the last suspect to be brought out, after the children were safely on their way to New York.
The investigation came together quickly in the past several days, Dorney said. But, citing the integrity of the ongoing probe, he wouldn't say what led police to the house, which butts up against the park just west of the walking path that leads to athletic fields.
The state police Clandestine Lab Team will process the home, Dorney said, and the drugs will be removed.
Two vehicles with New York plates were confiscated and taken away on a flatbed truck.
Neighbors said they weren't surprised by the police action, although one guessed it was a methamphetamine lab rather than a grow house.
The home's owner, which county records say is Raymond Rodnite, of Long Island City, New York, was on the phone with a man outside the home, trying to get information on the drug bust.
The owner seemed focused on getting the door closed once the investigation ends. The jam was broken, the man at the scene said into his phone.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Forks police raid marijuana grow home near park, arrest 4 | lehighvalleylive.com
Author: Tony Rhodin,
Contact: Contact Us: lehighvalleylive newsroom, advertising staff | lehighvalleylive.com
Photo Credit: Ted Soqui
Website: Lehigh Valley news, Easton news, Bethlehem news, Allentown news, Phillipsburg news and Lehigh Valley sports & weather - lehighvalleylive.com