YOUNGSTOWN Businessman ran marijuana factory, court papers say

DEA agents seized two bank accounts.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Businessman Joseph Pedaline, once part-owner of the B & amp;O Microbrewery and Restaurant, was "in charge" of the huge marijuana factory raided by the Drug Enforcement Administration task force, according to court papers.
An unidentified cooperating defendant told the DEA that Pedaline "orchestrated activities at the grow site, to include instructions regarding care of the marijuana plants as well as payments to [his] associates who tended and/or worked at the marijuana cultivation site at 814 Marshall St."
The DEA raided the warehouse on Marshall Street a week ago and seized 3,850 marijuana plants in various stages of growth. It is reportedly the second largest haul of pot in the United States for the DEA, with 9,000 plants in California being the largest.
DEA Special Agent Douglas Lamplugh said today that the task force is following all leads and making progress and expects the investigation will culminate in arrests. He declined to be more specific.
Last week, Jeffrey L. Chagnot, the city's development director, said Pedaline was out of the country, in Belize. It's not clear if Pedaline has since returned.
Ownership of site
Although Mahoning County records show that Pedaline purchased the warehouse last month, Chagnot said Pedaline and his partner had it for several years.
Chagnot said it's likely that last month's sale reflects Pedaline's buying out his partner.
Chagnot said Pedaline sold his interest in the B & amp;O Microbrewery and Restaurant last summer to his partner in the business, Robert Arroyo. It opened in June 2002, after extensive renovations to the building that last operated as a restaurant in 1996.
In search warrant returns filed Tuesday, DEA agents identified Michael L. Ciprian, 47, of 45 Florist Ave., as an active participant in the pot factory.
A criminal history check shows that Ciprian was arrested in 1987 in California on charges of manufacturing, possessing and distributing marijuana. Court papers don't reveal the outcome of the arrest.
During DEA surveillance the past three months, Ciprian's red pickup truck was seen entering the indoor marijuana farm on Marshall Street nearly on a daily basis.
Raided locations
Search warrant returns and affidavits filed in U.S. District Court show that agents raided these locations associated with the indoor marijuana farm:
U216 Lora Ave., Youngstown, owned by Pedaline. Agents seized employee records and various utility bills.
U585 Early Road, Youngstown, owned by Pedaline. Agents seized "pot shop" business cards, loose marijuana, potting soil, miscellaneous paperwork and more.
U45 Florist Ave., owned by Ciprian. Agents seized numerous bags of "green vegetation," hydroponics potting soils, a scale, miscellaneous paperwork and more. His bank account at First Place Bank on Market Street, Warren -- $17,757 -- was seized.
Agents received consent to search:
U287 Granada Ave., the residence of Pamela Woodward. Her bank account at Charter One Bank on Belmont Avenue -- $3,060 -- was seized. Woodward told DEA agents that the marijuana found at her home came from the warehouse at 814 Marshall. Her black vehicle was seen by DEA agents almost on a daily basis during surveillance the past three months entering the warehouse using a remote garage door opener.
U5615 Breezewood Lake Drive, Brookfield. Agents seized 116 pot plants. Records show the property is owned by Dorothy J. Zimmerman, 75. Jeff Zimmerman, 48, same address, was seen by DEA agents outside the warehouse in the company of Ciprian. Jeff Zimmerman was also seen at 45 Florist, Ciprian's home.
meade@vindy.com