Multi-agency effort leads to plant seizure at two Waterflow properties

Photo of a seizure of illegal cannabis on October 16 at two Waterflow properties.

A 170,000-pound cannabis grow on two properties in Waterflow was eradicated last month, after the owner’s license was revoked in August due to numerous violations.

The Cannabis Control Division has worked with the New Mexico Organized Crime Commission to develop strategies to deal with NNK Equities, which appears to have an out-of-state owner, according to Organized Crime Commission Director Robert Hart.

“This is new territory for the state in terms of how to regulate this and enforce it,” Hart said, adding that he looked at the violations from a civil and criminal perspective to see what could be do.

The problem was that NNK was exceeding its assigned number of plants at 23 Road 6940 and 3658 U.S. Highway 64 in Waterflow, according to a New Mexico State Police news release.

“The organization involved demonstrated a blatant disregard for the laws of this state and we will prove it once this investigation is complete,” New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler said in a prepared press release.

The Cannabis Control Division requested and was granted a temporary restraining order on September 30, and NNK was ordered to cease all cannabis production on both properties.

“Illegal operators are endangering our state’s people and compromising our legal cannabis industry,” said Department of Regulation and Licensing Superintendent Clay Bailey.

Photo of a seizure of illegal cannabis on October 16 at two Waterflow properties.

Hart said he looked into whether the grow could be seized and found the law allowed it, giving law enforcement the power to destroy all cannabis on properties.

“Collaboration was essential during this recent operation targeting illicit 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. »

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

“The Cannabis Control Division will continue to support responsible, law-abiding cannabis licensing and work alongside the New Mexico State Police, the Organized Crime Commission and all of our other responsible colleagues of law enforcement 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 for illegal cannabis cultivation will be filed, the press release states.

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