East Orange Garage Housed 1470 Marijuana Plants: Cops

EAST ORANGE, NJ — During what some local authorities are calling one of the county’s “largest seizures of marijuana,” police seized 1,470 budding cannabis plants from an East Orange garage that doubled as a “sophisticated indoor marijuana farm.”

According to East Orange city officials, police discovered the marijuana plants in a four-car garage shortly after 9 a.m. on May 18 after responding to the report of an incident in the backyard of a single-family home near Soverel Park and Springdale Avenue.

Authorities estimated the marijuana had a street value of $2.95 million.

Police arrested Sherline Dare, 37, and charged her with Maintaining a CDS Production Facility, Distribution of CDS, Possession with Intent to Distribute, Possession of over 50 Marijuana Plants, Distribution within 1,000 Feet of a School, Distribution within 500 Feet of a Public Park and Conspiracy.

Police have issued a warrant for Dare’s husband Densley Lawrence, 41, for the same charges. He remains at-large, authorities stated Monday. Anyone with information about his location can call the EOPD Tips Hotline at (973) 266-5041.

Police also arrested Gregory Rutty, 56, also was arrested after officers found a smaller amount of marijuana and $1,736 in cash in his truck, which was parked on the street in front of the home. Authorities charged Rutty with Possession of CDS (marijuana, under 50 grams).

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