On October 8, the 61st precinct of the Brooklyn Police and the New York City Sheriff’s Office conducted a significant operation against an illegal marijuana distribution center located in a residential building across from a daycare center in Manhattan Beach. Authorities discovered professional growing equipment inside the rental property, suggesting that the residents had converted the residence into a distribution hub.

According to the police overseeing the case, they initially responded to a report of a potential domestic disturbance on Exeter Street. Upon investigation of the rental home, they uncovered a large quantity of illegally cultivated marijuana. Following this, the police collaborated with the Sheriff’s Office to investigate further, leading to the seizure of 90 plants and 100 pounds of marijuana products. Sheriff Anthony Miranda noted that it was clear the location functioned as both a growing and distribution center, with all sales taking place within the house. The suspect had installed industrial-grade lighting to support three rows of 30 plants, and the walls were lined with chemical materials prepared for processing and packaging marijuana. The interior included a nursery, a refrigerator, and a dedicated processing area. Reports indicated that it took authorities an entire day to remove all marijuana products and plants from the property.

The precinct confirmed that there were no children present in the marijuana-growing operation and that one man in his 30s has been arrested. The investigation is ongoing, and police have ruled out the landlord’s involvement, stating that the Fire Department would need to intervene to ensure the property’s safety.

Local residents expressed their surprise at the discovery, noting that the community has always felt safe and is home to many families. However, some residents mentioned having previously detected the smell of marijuana in the area, indicating that they were not entirely surprised by the news coverage.

Since the legalization of recreational marijuana in New York, the state has been more cautious in issuing sales licenses, significantly slowing down the process. Following the launch of “Operation Padlock to Protect” in May, authorities have become more proactive, conducting raids that have led to the closure of approximately a quarter of all marijuana shops in the city, resulting in the seizure of four tons of illegal marijuana products.