Police seize 460 marijuana plants in Esperance

Above: Pot plants seized in Esperance. Photo courtesy of the New York State Police.

A 58-year-old Esperance man and a 64-year-old Sloansville man face multiple charges after police discovered 460 marijuana plants in four separate locations on Monday, according to a New York State Police press release.

Gregory F. Stevenson of Egelston Drive in Esperance and Ronald L. Ragan of Ragan Road in Sloansville were both charged after State Police in Cobleskill stopped a vehicle for a “routine violation” and subsequently learned information of where to seize the marijuana plants.

Stevenson was charged with unlawfully growing marijuana, criminal possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a controlled substance and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Stevenson was arraigned in the town of Cobleskill court and sent to Schoharie County Jail on $2,500 bail.

Ragan was charged with unlawfully growing marijuana, unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of fireworks. He was issued an appearance ticket to the town of Esperance court for August 29.

The plants, which ranged between 5 and 7 feet tall, were found with hydroponic equipment and $2,000 cash, the press release said.

The 460 plants were growing in the vicinity of Egelston Drive and Ragan Road as well as Brandon Road and Esperance Road. Police said the New York Air National Guard and Schoharie County Sherriff’s office and the Community Narcotics Enforcement Unit assisted in the seizure of the plants.