Cops Find ‘Marijuana Grow Operation’ In Essex County, NJ

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Authorities arrested two Essex County men after discovering a “marijuana grow operation” at a Fairfield home this weekend, police say.

According to the Fairfield Police Department, around 8:18 a.m. on Sunday, police responded to a report of a dispute at a Nell Court home involving Timothy Olster, 40, of Fairfield, and Jose Sanchez, 30, of Dover and Fairfield.

According to police, the responding officers noted that Sanchez had a nose injury, which he said took place when Olster hit him. The officers also saw that Olster’s 2013 GMC sport utility vehicle had damage to its driver’s side window, which Sanchez allegedly caused with a brick.

As the officers continued their investigation of the incident at the residence, they allegedly “observed marijuana residue and packaging in Olster’s bedroom,” as well as two marijuana plants being automatically watered in the laundry room. In addition, the officers observed a cluster of six-foot marijuana plants growing in the rear yard near the pool, authorities stated.

Both men were placed under arrest pursuant to their actions relating to the initial dispute, police stated. The residence was then secured by police pending a search warrant. At 3:30 p.m., Fairfield officers, along with a K-9 unit from the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, returned and executed the warrant.

Authorities said that during their search, the officers found a “marijuana growing operation” set up throughout the residence.

“The windows to the basement were covered and a ‘hot box’ tent was set up that contained timed lighting for the plants,” Fairfield police stated. “In addition, the officers allegedly found various fertilizers and liquids to enhance plant growth, small soil pods for seedlings, a number of Tupperware containers with dried marijuana in them, packaging material and a number of small marijuana plants. They even allegedly found one marijuana plant in a pot on a shelf above the kitchen sink.”

Police charged Olster and Sanchez with possession of over 50 grams of marijuana, possession of 10 to 49 marijuana plants, maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance facility, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, conspiracy to distribute marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In addition to the narcotics related charges, Olster was also charged with simple assault and Sanchez with criminal mischief relating to the original call, authorities stated.

“Police are anticipating making one more arrest relating to the marijuana grow operation,” the Fairfield Police Department stated Monday.

Photos: Fairfield Police Department