Michelle Kim

NYPD Says Growhouse Bust Forces Pot Operation to ‘Go Up in Smoke'

Police executing a search warrant at a Bronx home found a huge marijuana-growing operation inside. 

Fifty pounds of pot were seized from the second floor of the Fowler Avenue home, police said Wednesday. 

"A search warrant leads to an illegal grow operation w/ 50lbs of marijuana to go up in smoke #not oregano #morrispark," the NYPD's 49th Precinct tweeted.

Police also found light and heat lamps. 

The 48-year-old homeowner, Ernest Guttilla, was arrested on a charge of felony criminal possession of marijuana. He's also accused of stealing electricity from Con Edison. 

Guttilla has 11 prior arrests dating back to 1991, including burglaries and selling marijuana, police said. He had an open parole warrant at the time of his arrest Wednesday. 

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