Warren Home Turned Into Drug Production Facility: Police

Warren, NJ -- More than 100 pounds of marijuana, hashish, mushrooms and cash were found in a Warren home following the arrest of a township man, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced.

Kai Peter, age 35, of Warren Township was charged with Possession of CDS (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute, 1stDegree, Possession of CDS (Hashish) with Intent to Distribute, 1st Degree, Maintaining a CDS Production Facility, 1st degree, Possession of a Firearm While Committing a CDS offense, 2nd Degree, Possession of CDS (Psilocybin Mushroom) 3rd degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Disorderly Persons Offense.

On March 16 at 8:30 p.m., police reported stopping Peter in a gray Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck after leaving his Mount Horeb Road home on a tip that he was in possession of marijuana.

Somerset County Sheriff’s Office K-9 “Apex” and his handler responded to the scene where the dog gave a positive indication that drugs were in the vehicle following an exterior sniff, Robertson said.

Police reported locating a yellow bag containing eight pounds of marijuana on the rear seat of the pickup truck.

A search of Peter's home resulted in the seizure of 98 pounds of marijuana, 4.5 pounds of hashish, 3 pounds of hashish candy and $20,637 in cash, according to the report.

Detectives also located an indoor grow for Psilocybin Mushrooms and germinating Psilocybin Mushroom seeds inside a refrigerator, according to the report.

"A packaging area for the marijuana and hashish was located in the basement of the residence," Robertson reported. "From this area, detectives seized a heat sealer, heat sealer bags, scales, artificial lighting, grow pots, hygrometer, a grinder, fans, gloves, mason jars, flexible ductwork, filters and a Mossberg .22 long rifle. The residence was equipped with an air filtration system."

The street value of the marijuana seized is approximately $477,000, the Hashish approximately $112,500 and the Psilocybin mushrooms approximately $90,000.

Peter was lodged in the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $300,000 cash only by Honorable Kathy C. Qasim, J.S.C.

(Photo provided: Kai Peter, age 35, of Warren Township)