Criminal 'Marijuana Farm' in NY delivered illegal NYC smoke shops – NBC New York

Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) drove through what they said, an illegal “Marijuana farm” in the state of New York, which allegedly provided the drug to illegal smoke shops throughout New York City.

On the property in Walworth, near Rochester, almost 30,000 marijuana plants were discovered, which contained greenhouses for alleged cultivation operation, said officials.

“While Cannabis can be recognized as legally in the state of New York, large -scale marijuana that violates the federal law is not legal and will remain the goals of our enforcement efforts,” said DEA New York Special Agent Frank Tillentino.

Ferrydoon ArdeHali, 55, from Staten Island, was charged by federal prosecutors to operate the alleged illegal operation for pots growth and smuggling. The 27-year-old Colby Riggle from California is also pending with drug-related counts, which, if they are convicted, could wear 10 years or more in prison.

During the search, more than £ 3,700 was confiscated by marijuana, the investigators said. Pictures from the property along the Daansen Road show rows of marijuana that grow in greenhouses.

The Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, once again emphasized the problem of illegal smoke shops at the beginning of the week. In 2024, he said that the city was closed almost 1,400 business and that over 95 million US dollars of illegal products from illegal shops were confiscated.

A ArdeHali lawyer said his client is looking forward to “to exercise his legal rights at the relevant times in this legal procedure and to treat this matter in court”.

With regard to Riggle, his lawyer said that he was just an agricultural farm and has no share in property or society that led the farm. Riggle was released from custody on Friday.

“He is looking forward to defending himself and the accusations in court if this is progressing,” said lawyer Fonda Dawn Kubiak. “He is not involved in the ownership of the farm and is not part of the company that controls the farm.”

FBI agents and customs officials as well as the sheriff of Wayne County supported the DEA in the investigation.