By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that on Monday, September 16, Hanzi Chen, 47, Suxia Li, 41, and Deng Huan Hong, 50, were arrested in Buena Borough and charged with first-degree possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and first-degree maintaining a narcotics production facility.
Following a three-month investigation conducted by members of the New Jersey State Police Marijuana Eradication Team South, the N.J.S.P., along with members of the Franklinville Police Department and Elk Township Police Department, executed three residential search warrants in Buena Borough, officials said.
According to officials, police discovered the residential properties had been converted into sophisticated marijuana grow sites, equipped with the necessary lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, growth nutrients, water supply, and grow space.
In total, over 4,000 marijuana plants were seized from the properties, with an estimated multi-million-dollar retail value, officials stated.
Officials say none of the properties are licensed medical or recreational cannabis businesses.
All three defendants were found to be occupying the residences where the marijuana grows were located, authorities say.
Officials said all three defendants were remanded into the custody of the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending detention hearings scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, 2024.