Brooklyn man arrested in unauthorized marijuana growing facility in Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Brooklyn man was arrested in connection to an unauthorized marijuana growing facility in Amsterdam. Chuanjin Sun, 53, faces multiple charges.

According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, a resident tip about a building on Chapman Drive in Amsterdam led to an investigation. Deputies say the investigation started after a resident alleged an excessive smell of cannabis stemming from the property.

On Thursday, the Town of Amsterdam Fire Inspector requested assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and found that a large-scale cannabis growing operation was inside the facility. Deputies say Sun, the owner of the building, was growing large amounts of cannabis for distribution throughout the state.

Deputies say the Office of Cannabis Management confirmed Sun didn't have legal permission issued by the state to have the operation. The fire inspector and sheriff's office investigators seized over 2,200 two to three-foot-high cannabis plants inside the building.

Charges:

• First-degree criminal possession of cannabis (possession of more than 10 pounds)
• Unlawfully growing cannabis

Sun was arrested and taken to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. He was processed and arraigned in the Amsterdam Town Court. He was released on his own recognizance.