Another large-scale marijuana growing operation has been discovered in Jamestown.
Patrick S. Silk, 49, of Jamestown was charged with second-degree criminal possession of marijuana and unlawfully growing marijuana Tuesday.
Investigators from the Jamestown Police Department executed a search warrant at 11:30 a.m. for the residence at 834 Lafayette St. According to police, information was received from the BPU advising that the power supply to the home had been tampered with, which allowed investigators to obtain a search warrant.
Article Photos
Pictured above is the modified electrical panel that was found in the residence. BPU workers warn that this is a serious fire hazzard. At left, altered electrical lines running into the residence at 834 Lafayette St.. At top are pictures of mature marijuana plants that were found in the residence.
P-J photos Ryan Atkins
"We were able to determine that the utilities were in a Truver's name," said Harry Snellings, police chief. "After that, we were able to get a search warrant for the premises."
The bust comes less than a week after seven people were charged after members of the Jamestown Police Department and New York State Police CNET carried out five search warrants. Four of the seven people who were charged in the searches were part of the Truver family.
Inside the home investigators found a large marijuana growing operation that consisted of more than 100 large mature marijuana plants, more than 2 pounds of dried marijuana, a quantity of cocaine, two long guns and a large amount of marijuana growing equipment. Silk was later located and is currently being held in the Jamestown City Jail awaiting arraignment.
According to Captain Bob Samuelson of the Jamestown Police Department, the BPU is asking for the public's assistance in identifying any homes that may have had the power lines modified or tampered with in any way.
"When they tamper with the power lines, it allows them to use power that they're not paying for," said Samuelson. "Besides the marijuana that's being grown, this is a huge safety risk. It becomes a fire risk because the wiring isn't meant to handle the power that the operation is drawing. If one house goes up in flames, it's a danger to the homes around it as well."
The investigation is ongoing and further charges are pending. Anyone who may have information on the illegal sales of drugs is asked to contact the Jamestown Police Department's anonymous tip line at 483-8477. All calls and tips will remain strictly confidential.