SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A home invasion in Southampton led to the discovery of 1,000 lbs. of marijuana — and an arrest, police said.
According to Southampton Town police, on Thursday at about 12:56 a.m., a 911 call came in reporting the home-invasion/burglary at West Neck Road in Southampton.
Responding offices from the patrol division arrived to find a sole injured party who was conscious and alert and suffering from a laceration to his head, police said.
All other parties had fled the scene prior to police arrival, police said.
Detectives were summoned to the scene, and as their investigation developed, it quickly became apparent that the house was not a random criminal target: a large and illegal quantity of marijuana was observed in plain sight within the residence, police said.
To assist with their investigation, detectives requested assistance from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office East End Drug Task Force and investigators from the District Attorney's Office, police said.
A search warrant was executed at the residence, and a large quantity of about 1,000 pounds of marijuana was seized, police said.
At the time of the seizure, the marijuana had been previously packaged for sale and distribution, police said.
The sole remaining occupant was transported to a local area hospital for non-life threatening injuries, police said.
Upon completion of a search warrant, Antonio M. Velay, 27, of Southampton, was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal possession of cannabis, a class D felony, police said.
He was processed and held for arraignment, police said.
As detectives continue the investigation, anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Southampton Town Police Department's detective division at 631-702-2230.
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