A Massachusetts man has been charged with drug trafficking after Duryea police discovered a commercial-scale marijuana growing operation during a response to a fire last year.
Minchao Yu, 43, of Allston, is wanted on felony drug trafficking and conspiracy charges alleging he ran an illegal growing operation containing hundreds of plants.
According to the complaint, police and firefighters responded to 251 Marcy St. on Aug. 5 to a report of wires electrically arcing outside of the building.
After extinguishing the fire and detecting an odor of natural gas, authorities entered the home to check on the safety of any occupants and discovered numerous marijuana plants being supported by fans, heaters and lights, according to the charges.
During a subsequent execution of a search warrant, police found over 600 marijuana plants along with financial cards belonging to Yu, the charges allege.
Investigators later discovered large amounts of cash being moved between accounts Yu shared with his sister — who has not been charged — resulting in a seizure of $96,309, police said.
Police charged Yu with drug trafficking, conspiring to commit risking catastrophe and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Court records showed he remained wanted as of Wednesday.
