Cops arrest 16 people in $8M marijuana ring

By LARRY CELONA
Last Updated: 1:56 PM, March 30, 2011
Posted: 10:11 AM, March 30, 2011

A pot-selling ring that included over a dozen people was broken up after cops discovered 8,000 marijuana plants that would yield a street value of $8 million, authorities said today.

The NYPD, with help from DEA agents, pulled over a car in upstate Sullivan County that smelled of marijuana.

PHOTOS: COPS BUST MASSIVE POT RING

After receiving consent, the officers searched seven houses and uncovered the 8,000 marijuana plants, sources told The Post.

The Drug Enforcement Administration said the plants were found in seven fields in and around the town of Wurstboro.


Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office
One of 16 people arrested in connection with an alleged $8 million marijuana ring.
Each plant yields about one pound-worth of weed for an estimated total of $8 million, the sources said.

Authorities said the marijuana was sold throughout the city and as far south as Philadelphia.

Police sources believe the 16 people arrested had been running the largest indoor marijuana growing operation in the New York-area.

Sullivan County is located just two hours north of the city.

The 16 suspects are expected to be arraigned in White Plains Federal Court sometime this afternoon.

All of those arrested were said to be illegal aliens, sources said.

Personnel from the Sullivan County Sheriff's office and agents with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement also took part in the raids.

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