YOUNGSTOWN DEA plans to dismantle pot farm in warehouse
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Drug Enforcement Administration task force could begin as early as today to dismantle a large indoor marijuana farm found in a downtown warehouse.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Cleveland has advised that a court order must be obtained before 3,850 pot plants are removed and destroyed from 814 Marshall St., said DEA Special Agent Douglas Lamplugh, head of the Youngstown office.
Once the order is obtained, possibly today, samples of the marijuana will be taken for testing and the rest destroyed, he said.
Lamplugh said he expects the plants to be burned in a local steel mill furnace.
Cataloging what was found
Agents used a search warrant to enter the building earlier this week. They continued today to catalog the plants and equipment found, such as grow lights and a sophisticated watering and heating system.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation, which included the seizure of 116 marijuana plants in Brookfield, continues, Lamplugh said.
He believes, based on the size of the operation at the warehouse, that several people were involved in the growing and distribution of the product. There's evidence that marijuana has been harvested and more planted, he added.
Lamplugh said once harvested, the high-grade marijuana -- found growing in seven rooms -- would have a street value of $1,500 to $2,500 per pound. He said one plant generally yields one pound.
Calculating 3,850 pounds at $1,500 to $2,500, that's a $5.7 million to $9.6 million street value.
"Those numbers are very good, provided [the sellers] have a market for the product," Lamplugh said. "All the plants don't yield that quantity at one time."
Stages of growth
The plants found were in various stages of growth, from seedlings to mature plants.
Lamplugh said it's his understanding that the marijuana operation may be the second largest found in the United States but that hasn't been confirmed. He said the DEA in Detroit recalled that roughly 9,000 plants were seized in California.
Records show the building is owned by Joseph Pedaline of Lora Avenue, Youngstown. Pedaline could not be reached.
Agents are now doing a document search to determine who bought the equipment found inside the warehouse, Lamplugh said. Receipts were found there.
The DEA, acting on tips, began its investigation in December 2003. Lamplugh said it's possible the marijuana farm has been in the warehouse for a year.
meade@vindy.com