State Police in Livingston stop large marijuana grow operation in Hillsdale
NEW YORK STATE POLICE
Major Robert C. Gregory
Troop K Commander
PRESS RELEASE
Hillsdale, New York – On May 15, 2018, the New York State Police from the Livingston barracks, and the Troop K Community Narcotics Enforcement Team arrested James M. Valentin, age 49, for Criminal Possession of Marihuana in the 1st degree, a class C felony, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree, Unlawful Growing of Cannabis, both class A misdemeanors, and Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Non-Original Container, a violation, after the execution of a search warrant of his residence in the Town of Hillsdale, Columbia County.
The search warrant was issued by a local magistrate after an investigation revealed the location of a large-scale marijuana grow operation on West End Road in the town of Hillsdale. The State Police seized numerous cannabis plants in various stages of growth located in the residence, and a large quantity of prepared marijuana.
Valentin was arraigned before the Honorable Judge Michael Brandon of the town of Claverack Court, and remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.