Police discover $200,000 marijuana grow operation
Three Allegheny County men are facing several charges after state police found and eradicated a marijuana grow operation in Greene County.
After receiving a tip, state police obtained a search warrant for a 132-acre farm in Morgan Township, where they removed 92 marijuana plants ranging from 2 feet to 6 feet in size.
According to police, the plants were kept in a chicken coop that was manufactured to grow marijuana.
The plants had an estimated production value of $200,000, police said.
In addition, police said they found a sophisticated indoor grow operation in a barn next to the chicken coop.
Police said they seized all of the paraphernalia used to grow and process the marijuana, as well as two handguns and three vehicles.
Police said they arrested the property owner, Athanase (Tom) Petropoulos, of Dormont, and Christopher J. McGee and Michael Wilson Bish, both of Pittsburgh, while they were tending to the marijuana. Police charged them with possession of a controlled substance, manufacture of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy.
They were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson on Friday, and are in the Greene County Jail, awaiting a preliminary hearing which is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday before Watson.
Petropoulos is being held on a $10,000 straight cash bond, Bish is being held on a $20,000 straight cash bond, and McGee is being held on a $15,000 straight cash bond.