Say Suburbanite Operated Big Marijuana Farm
Federal agents recently discovered a massive marijuana farm located within a Maspeth warehouse owned by an upstate woman who was charged with taking part in a plot to grow, sell and distribute the weed, law enforcement sources announced on Tuesday, June 4.
The plethora of pot was reportedly found growing inside Fantastic Enterprises located at 58-15 57th Dr. in Maspeth during a May 20 raid conducted by agents with the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Department of Homeland Security and the NYPD.
Authorities cuffed that same day Andrea Sanderlin, 45, of Scarsdale, identified as the alleged owner of the warehouse and operator of the marijuana farm. She is currently incarcerated in a federal jail and faces up to 10 years in prison on related charges, it was reported.
Prosecutors said the investigation into Sanderlin began in April following a federal raid of two other hydroponic marijuana farms in Long Island City and Williamsburg which resulted in five arrests and the seizure of more than 2,000 marijuana plants and large amounts of the dried weed.
Published reports indicated that one of the individuals arrested in the April bust informed investigators that Sanderlin allegedly operated her own marijuana warehouse in Queens.
According to information provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, detectives and investigators gathered details that Sanderlin paid utility bills and insurance on the 57th Drive warehouse in Maspeth.
Law enforcement agents began surveillance of Sanderlin on May 13, and they tracked her as she drove from her Scarsdale home to the Maspeth location inside a gray Mercedes Benz SUV. Reportedly, the suspect repeated the trip five more times before being confronted by federal agents on May 20.
Upon being questioned, authorities said, Sanderlin claimed to own the warehouse but refused to allow the agents inside to search the premises.
Prosecutors said a search warrant was subsequently obtained and then executed later that day by federal agents. They reportedly discovered a complex, state-of-the-art hydroponic farm in two separate rooms where over 1,000 marijuana plants were growing. According to the criminal complaint, the farm include equipment such as high-tech lighting, irrigation and ventilation systems.
Large amounts of dried pot were also allegedly found on the premises. After finding the marijuana, Sanderlin was taken into custody by federal agents.
The investigation is ongoing.
