FORDHAM, The Bronx (WABC) — A suspected illegal cannabis grow house containing 30 marijuana plants was discovered in a Marion Avenue apartment in the Bronx when a city marshal was carrying out an eviction, according to the New York City Sheriff’s Office.
Residents of the building said the odor coming from the apartment had been overwhelming for months, with some fearing it posed a safety risk.
“Not safe for the building – the whole building gotta be smelling that,” one resident said.
Another resident said, “I’m thinking that there was a dead corpse here somewhere – when I find out it’s a freaking drug lab yo!”
Authorities confiscated 30 cannabis plants from the apartment. Neighbors said the operation appeared extensive despite being run out of a small unit.
Evelyn Arredondo, who lives next door to the apartment, said she had previously reported concerns about the smell to the Fire Department of New York.
“Itch my throat, my eyes and my nose. And just I called the fire department – you know – I said maybe there’s gas around but they didn’t find nothing,” Arredondo said.
FDNY crews returned Monday with hazardous materials trucks after the grow operation was discovered. Arredondo said the findings raised concerns for her family’s safety.
“I’m scared because I live with my child there and he got asthma so that’s scary,” she said.
By Monday night, workers were removing plants and equipment from the apartment.
The Sheriff’s Office said a city marshal discovered the grow operation earlier in the day while executing an eviction at the residence.
Resident Angeles Ramirez said the discovery was alarming.
“I’m there like what the hell? And all I’m thinking about is explosions and whatnot,” Ramirez said.
The incident also brought back memories of a 2016 explosion at an illegal grow house in the Bronx that killed FDNY Battalion Chief Michael Fahy.
In a statement, Sheriff Edwin Raymond said: “The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our communities by disrupting illicit operations that threaten public safety and health. We will work diligently to ensure our neighborhoods remain safe places to live and work.”
Another resident expressed concern about families living in the building, saying, “We have family, kids and it’s not healthy.”
Neighbors said they had seen multiple men coming and going from the apartment but never staying long enough to identify themselves. No arrests had been made as of Monday. The building superintendent said the tenants were behind on rent.
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