PARSIPPANY N.J. (Morris County) – Two men from New Jersey were arrested on Tuesday May 10 for operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility in Parsippany, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Parsippany Police Chief Paul Philipps said in a news release Saturday.
The Parsippany Police Department received information, in April 2016, concerning the belief that a residence within the community was being utilized as a grow house to manufacture marijuana, Knapp and Philipps said.
The subsequent investigation resulted in the seizure of more than 50 marijuana plants and illegal narcotics manufacturing equipment from within the home that had been converted into a Controlled Dangerous Substance production facility, Knapp and Philipps said.
Barton Harris, 58, and Matthew Greist, 40, both of Morris Plains, NJ were each charged with one count of first-degree Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Facility (more than ten (10) marijuana plants), one count of first-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute (more than fifty (50) marijuana plants) and one count of second-degree Conspiracy to Maintain a Controlled Dangerous Substance Facility (more than ten (10) marijuana plants). Greist had an additional charge of one count of third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with
the Intent to Distribute (marijuana).
Bail was set for Harris and Greist at $200,000, no 10 percent option, with a bail source hearing required.
In lieu of bail, both Harris and Greist were lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility.
“The Morris County Narcotics Task Force will continue its commitment to work hand in hand with each municipality in the county to target these drug manufacturers distributing illegal controlled dangerous substances, said Prosecutor Knapp, who urged residents to report any information regarding illegal drug activity and any criminal activity within our community.
Prosecutor thanked the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit (Narcotics Task Force) and commended the cooperative efforts of all agencies involved, including the Parsippany Police Department, for efforts related to this investigation. This investigation was led by the Parsippany Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit under the command of Detective Sergeant Thomas Lesiak. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Noelle Fiorentino.
By: Jay Edwards
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