| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
“OPERATION WEED EAT”
September 17, 2008
Columbia County, NY Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that during the week of September 10th, the
Sheriff’s Office Drug Education and Enforcement Unit, (DEEU), conducted a Marijuana eradication operation coined
“Operation Weed Eat” with air support from the Massachusetts Army National Guard Reconnaissance and
Interdiction Unit in Westfield, MA. Just over 600 Marijuana plants, most 6 to 8 feet tall and some in pots and pails,
were seized by Sheriffs Investigators and uniformed Deputy Sheriffs over the two and a half day period.
A Helicopter, its flight crew and one Deputy Sheriff flew over most towns in the county. Marijuana plants were
first observed from the air and then seized by Deputy Sheriffs on the ground, in the Towns of Chatham, Ghent,
Stuyvesant, Hillsdale, New Lebanon, Copake, Ancram, Germantown and Livingston. He said that two people have
been arrested and charged with growing Marihuana.
Dominique M Strandquest, 57 from Sekonk Rd, Hillsdale, NY was arrested on September 11, 2008 and charged
with Growing Cannabis, a NYS Public Health Law Misdemeanor offense, charged with growing 14 - 8 foot Marihuana
plants in a Tomato garden near her residence. She was issued an Appearance Ticket for Hillsdale Town Court.
Sheriff’s Investigators also discovered a residence in the Town of Chatham with an elaborate indoor Marihuana
grow system utilizing revolving lights and drying containers. Robert S. Smith, 41, of Cty Rte 32, Chatham, NY, who
cooperated with Investigators when approached, was charged on September 10, 2008, with Growing Cannabis at his
residence and issued an appearance Ticket for Chatham Town Court. 102 Marihuana plants, as well as equipment
used in growing and processing the plants were secured as evidence from inside of the house. More plants were
observed and seized on his property outside of the house. Additional charges are being considered with the
Columbia County District Attorney’s Office.
The seizures and arrests are the result of many tips from Columbia County residents and the hard work of DEEU
Investigators and uniformed Deputy Sheriffs. The plants seized in this operation have a sales value of up to
$450,000 depending on how processed and packaged.
The Sheriff acknowledges and commends the work done by members of the Sheriff’s Office and Army National
Guard Recon & Interdiction Air Unit, and thanks those Columbia County residents who provided information.
The Sheriff reminds anyone who has information about criminal or suspicious activity to call the Sheriff’s Office
CRIME TIPS line 518-822-TIPS(8477) or visit the Sheriff’s Office website at www.columbiacountysheriff.us .
September 17, 2008
Columbia County, NY Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that during the week of September 10th, the
Sheriff’s Office Drug Education and Enforcement Unit, (DEEU), conducted a Marijuana eradication operation coined
“Operation Weed Eat” with air support from the Massachusetts Army National Guard Reconnaissance and
Interdiction Unit in Westfield, MA. Just over 600 Marijuana plants, most 6 to 8 feet tall and some in pots and pails,
were seized by Sheriffs Investigators and uniformed Deputy Sheriffs over the two and a half day period.
A Helicopter, its flight crew and one Deputy Sheriff flew over most towns in the county. Marijuana plants were
first observed from the air and then seized by Deputy Sheriffs on the ground, in the Towns of Chatham, Ghent,
Stuyvesant, Hillsdale, New Lebanon, Copake, Ancram, Germantown and Livingston. He said that two people have
been arrested and charged with growing Marihuana.
Dominique M Strandquest, 57 from Sekonk Rd, Hillsdale, NY was arrested on September 11, 2008 and charged
with Growing Cannabis, a NYS Public Health Law Misdemeanor offense, charged with growing 14 - 8 foot Marihuana
plants in a Tomato garden near her residence. She was issued an Appearance Ticket for Hillsdale Town Court.
Sheriff’s Investigators also discovered a residence in the Town of Chatham with an elaborate indoor Marihuana
grow system utilizing revolving lights and drying containers. Robert S. Smith, 41, of Cty Rte 32, Chatham, NY, who
cooperated with Investigators when approached, was charged on September 10, 2008, with Growing Cannabis at his
residence and issued an appearance Ticket for Chatham Town Court. 102 Marihuana plants, as well as equipment
used in growing and processing the plants were secured as evidence from inside of the house. More plants were
observed and seized on his property outside of the house. Additional charges are being considered with the
Columbia County District Attorney’s Office.
The seizures and arrests are the result of many tips from Columbia County residents and the hard work of DEEU
Investigators and uniformed Deputy Sheriffs. The plants seized in this operation have a sales value of up to
$450,000 depending on how processed and packaged.
The Sheriff acknowledges and commends the work done by members of the Sheriff’s Office and Army National
Guard Recon & Interdiction Air Unit, and thanks those Columbia County residents who provided information.
The Sheriff reminds anyone who has information about criminal or suspicious activity to call the Sheriff’s Office
CRIME TIPS line 518-822-TIPS(8477) or visit the Sheriff’s Office website at www.columbiacountysheriff.us .
