Federal prosecutors have charged Ferrydoon M. Ardehali and Colby Riggle with operating a black-market cannabis farm in New York. The duo allegedly sold illegal cannabis to licensed growers, a crime that could lead to a minimum of 10 years in prison or life behind bars. The DEA's investigation uncovered the extent of the operation, where black-market goods were sold to avoid taxation and regulations. The search revealed a large-scale cannabis growth and processing facility.
Federal prosecutors allege a Staten Island man was running a black-market cannabis farm that did business with state-licensed cultivators, resulting in serious federal charges.
In January 2025, the DEA launched an investigation into an illegal cannabis operation in Walworth, New York, leading to significant discoveries about black-market transactions.
The defendants stand charged with manufacturing and possessing with intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants; this carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years.
Investigations revealed that state-licensed growers might purchase black market cannabis to escape taxes and regulations, while black market growers contend with high barriers to the legal market.
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