Staten Island brothers stole electricity to power marijuana-growing operation, authorities allege

By John M. Annese

A look inside the alleged marijuana growhouse cops say they found during a raid of 20 James Pl.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- This family could put "Weeds" to shame.

Two Rosebank brothers ran a sophisticated, $1 million-a-year marijuana-growing operation out of their 20 James Pl. home for years, police allege, stealing nearly $150,000 in electricity to keep the grow lamps humming.

Narcotics detectives yesterday raided the home of Craig and Keith Harrigan, 49 and 47, and Craig's son, Marc, 18, finding 316 marijuana plants in a second-floor garden, and 60 seedlings in the basement, according to court papers.

"They had expensive new equipment. They had a ventilation system. They were growing it hydroponically," said one law enforcement source familiar with the investigation. "They weren’t just chopping up crack."

The source said the marijuana was likely distributed to other dealers — "They were the grow house. I don’t think someone came in there for a dime bag."

The raid turned up a digital scale, drug records, police scanners and books and several magazines on marijuana growing, according to prosecutors. Detectives also found lighting fixtures, air filters, containers, thermometers, air pumps, timers, eco testers, electric converters and mini block planters, authorities allege.

Con Edison records show the operation was running for at least five years, according to court papers — the trick they used to tamper with their electrical meter to prevent it from registering the amount of juice they were burning dated back to Jan. 26, 2006.

Based on that date, homeowner Keith Harrigan set up the alleged operation the same year he bought the James Place house — public records show he closed on the house in August 2006, buying it for $465,000 and taking out a $348,700 loan.

In all, authorities allege the Harrigans used $147,483.11 worth of electricity they never paid for.

Authorities would only say that the NYPD’s narcotics department caught wind of the growing operation as part of an "ongoing narcotics investigation."

The Harrigans face charges of first-degree criminal possession of marijuana, second-degree grand larceny, and theft of services, said Peter N. Spencer, a spokesman for District Attorney Daniel Donovan.

The top count carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence if they’re convicted at trial.

Source: http://www.silive.com