More than 100 marijuana plants seized from Amenia cornfield

AMENIA — A marijuana growing operation was discovered in Amenia on Wednesday, Aug. 10, by a team of New York state troopers and investigators from the Dover Plains barracks. The New York State Police Aviation team assisted from the air to help lead the ground forces to the right location.More than 100 marijuana plants, which were hidden in a cornfield, were seized from the property located on Depot Hill Road.The state police estimated that number of plants would have created more than 50 pounds of saleable marijuana.The police were first alerted to the growing operation by multiple tips from local residents about suspicious activity in the area.Investigator David Denzel is in charge of the case. He said that there are currently no suspects and no arrests have been made.Denzel said that large-scale marijuana growing operations are rare for this area, “but it happens.”He said he believes that this “is probably not the first time” a big marijuana growing operation has been set up locally. “It’s probably something that didn’t just start,” he said, noting that he has not seen an increase in cases over the last few years, even in the face of the rough economic climate.Denzel said that the plants were still maturing and only measured 3 to 4 feet tall. Mature plants usually reach twice that height. Since the plants were so young, Denzel added there was little, if any, harvesting.Denzel explained that the amateur growing operation was established in a way that did not destroy the corn crops in which the marijuana plants were hidden. He said that the removal of the plants also did not destroy the corn crops, and so did not cause losses to the farm owner.Denzel stressed that the farm owner is in no way implicated in the growing operation.Amenia town Supervisor Wayne Euvrard said he believes that the area has “an ongoing problem” with drugs.“It’s moved up from the city. It’s not just in Poughkeepsie anymore,” he said.Euvrard said he believes that besides financial motivations, local illegal growing operations are spurred in part by the number of drug users in the Webutuck schools.Webutuck High School Principal Ken Sauer said that is an unfair statement.“I don’t have any evidence that statement is accurate,” he said.Sauer said that he knows there is some marijuana use among his students, but he has not seen an increase.He said the use of marijuana is more likely “indicative of a cultural shift” that has made its use more acceptable.Sauer said the presence of illegal marijuana growing operations is due to the increased presence of gangs in the area, which he said he has seen impact his school.Anyone with information about the marijuana growing operation case should contact Investigator Denzel at 845-677-7300.