170,000 pounds of illegal cannabis eradicated

A multi-agency effort leads to the seizure of equipment at two Waterflow properties

A £170,000 cannabis grow on two properties in Waterflow was eradicated last month after the owner’s license was revoked in August due to numerous offences.

The Cannabis Control Division worked with the New Mexico Organized Crime Commission to come up with strategies to deal with NNK Equities, which appears to have an out-of-state owner, said Robert Hart, director of the Organized Crime Commission.

“This is new territory for the state as to how we can regulate and enforce this,” Hart said, adding that he was looking at the violations from both a civil and criminal standpoint to see what could be done.

At issue was NNK exceeding the allotted number of installations at 23 Road 6940 and at 3658 US Highway 64 in Waterflow, according to a New Mexico State Police news release.

“The organization involved showed a blatant disregard for the laws of this state and we will prove that once this investigation is over,” New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler said in a prepared statement.

The Cannabis Control Division sought and received a temporary restraining order on September 30, and NNK was told to cease all cannabis production on both properties.

“Illegal operators are endangering the people of our state and endangering our legal cannabis industry,” said Division of Regulation and Licensing Superintendent Clay Bailey.

Hart stated that he investigated whether the grow could be seized and found that the law allowed it, giving law enforcement authorities the authority to destroy any cannabis on the property.

“Collaboration was critical during this recent operation against illegal cannabis production,” Weisler said. “We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that those who undermine the legal cannabis market face the full consequences of the law.”

About 50 personnel from the NMSP Uniform Bureau, Crime Suppression Bureau, Special Investigations Unit and evidence technicians from across the state were assigned on Oct. 16 “to assist in the eradication of cannabis at both properties,” according to the news release.

“The Cannabis Control Division will continue to support law-abiding, responsible cannabis licensing and will work with the New Mexico State Police, the Organized Crime Commission and all of our other law enforcement colleagues to identify and eliminate illegal cannabis operations in our state,” Bailey said.

Once completed, this case will be forwarded to the 11th Judicial District Attorney’s office, where charges of illegal cannabis cultivation will be filed, the news release said.

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