Volkswagen Smashes Into Marijuana Grow House

YONKERS, NY — A marijuana grow house with large amounts of various kinds of cannabis products was a serendipitous discovery by police responding to a car crash in Yonkers on Friday. When a Volkswagen failed to negotiate a turn and ended up stuck halfway in the house at 73 Shonnard Place, it was only the beginning of the homeowners' woes.

Of course police called in the fire department, building department, and local utility companies to inspect the structural damage and check electric and gas lines for damage and continued safe operation.

While doing that, they discovered 29 potted marijuana plants and 4 large hanging LED lamps located outside the house, at the rear of the driveway — which to them was evidence indicative of a marijuana grow house operation.

So they notified investigators with the Yonkers Police Narcotics Unit.

Armed with a search warrant, investigators went further into the house. They say they found a downstairs room converted into a makeshift greenhouse, with plastic tarps covering the walls and a large ventilation system attached to the ceiling.

They say they recovered large amounts of loose marijuana, packed marijuana, marijuana seeds, cannabis powder, high concentrate cannabis, cannabis vape cartridges, a digital scale, and an assorted amount of US currency during their search.

The aggregate weight of the recovered marijuana is in excess of several pounds and is pending forensic analysis, police said.

In all, 31 potted marijuana plants were recovered, including the 29 that had apparently been placed outside at the time of the accident in an effort to disassociate the home from the evidence.

The adult homeowners were taken into custody and subsequently charged. They are identified as Edward S. Shleiwet, 37, and his wife Lena M. Shleiwet, 35.

Both are charged with first degree Criminal Possession of Marijuana, a Class C Felony; fifth degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class D Felony; and seventh degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class A Misdemeanor.

The case is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.

As for the car crash:

Police responded to 73 Shonnard Place at about 2:51 a.m. on a report of a motor vehicle accident.

They found a white 2016 Volkswagen sedan had struck the south facing brick wall on the ground level of the home and was lodged halfway inside the house.

The operator of the vehicle, a 31-year-old male resident of the Bronx, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The driver told police that he failed to negotiate the turn while traveling north on Park Avenue. So far no citations have been issued or charges filed against the driver.

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PHOTOS/ Yonkers Police Department