BROOKLYN, New York (NBC) – New York Police raided a five-story Bronx building Tuesday that they believe was being used as a marijuana farm with hundreds of plants in an elaborate growing system.
Investigators seized 593 plants, some as tall as seven feet, as well as 75 pounds of marijuana that had been cut, dried and packaged in plastic.
Sources told NBC News that each floor of the building was used for a different stage of growth for the plants.
It had been outfitted with an intricate ventilation and hydration system.
The seized plants and packages totaled about 1,550 pounds, police said.
Investigators said about 50 to 60 pounds of marijuana were being produced each month for a value of about $250,000.
Conservative estimates placed marijuana sales from the operation over the past year at about $3 million.
Three Bronx men, ages 23, 24 and 25 were arrested and charged with criminal possession of marijuana and criminal use of drug paraphernalia.
