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Police said they shut down what might have been the largest indoor marijuana operation in state history, seizing nearly 1,400 plants potentially worth over $4 million from a house.
"This is probably one of the largest, if not the largest we've seen in state history," state police Maj. David Kelley said.
No one has been charged, but the investigation is continuing.
Police said the Epsom house was bought 10 days ago and was completely converted to house the growing operation. Police video shows no furniture in the place, but investigators found bails of dirt and gallons of fertilizer. The marijuana was seized Thursday.
The basement was outfitted with a customized ventilation and electrical system that was diverting power to supply a ceiling filled with 1,000-watt lights, police said. The wiring blew a nearby transformer that ultimately led authorities to the operation.
"Every time (utility workers) had it repaired, it would blow again, so they traced a short back to a particular residence and found at the residence the power had been bypassed," Kelley said.
When Epsom police were called to investigate a theft of electrical services, they discovered the operation, officials said.
Police said the basement was set up to handle as many as 4,000 plants.
The plants police confiscated were small, but police said they would command millions of dollars when mature, police said.
"Over 1,400 plants with a street value of $4.7 million," Kelley said. "Tools, equipment, lights, electrical equipment, fertilizer -- a massive operation for this particular grower."
Newshawk: user - <A HREF="420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking">420 Magazine</A>
Source: Boston Globe
Pubdate: 3 November 2006
Copyright: 2006 Associated Press
Contact: Boston Globe
Website: Article Here
"This is probably one of the largest, if not the largest we've seen in state history," state police Maj. David Kelley said.
No one has been charged, but the investigation is continuing.
Police said the Epsom house was bought 10 days ago and was completely converted to house the growing operation. Police video shows no furniture in the place, but investigators found bails of dirt and gallons of fertilizer. The marijuana was seized Thursday.
The basement was outfitted with a customized ventilation and electrical system that was diverting power to supply a ceiling filled with 1,000-watt lights, police said. The wiring blew a nearby transformer that ultimately led authorities to the operation.
"Every time (utility workers) had it repaired, it would blow again, so they traced a short back to a particular residence and found at the residence the power had been bypassed," Kelley said.
When Epsom police were called to investigate a theft of electrical services, they discovered the operation, officials said.
Police said the basement was set up to handle as many as 4,000 plants.
The plants police confiscated were small, but police said they would command millions of dollars when mature, police said.
"Over 1,400 plants with a street value of $4.7 million," Kelley said. "Tools, equipment, lights, electrical equipment, fertilizer -- a massive operation for this particular grower."
Newshawk: user - <A HREF="420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking">420 Magazine</A>
Source: Boston Globe
Pubdate: 3 November 2006
Copyright: 2006 Associated Press
Contact: Boston Globe
Website: Article Here
