A suspected illegal cannabis grow operation was discovered inside a Bronx apartment after a city marshal arrived to carry out an eviction, prompting concerns among residents who said a strong odor had filled the building for months.
The New York City Sheriff’s Office said 30 marijuana plants were found inside the apartment on Marion Avenue. The discovery led to a response from New York City emergency crews, including FDNY personnel who returned to the building with hazardous materials trucks.
Neighbors said the persistent smell had left them worried about their health and safety, particularly those living with children and people with respiratory conditions.
One resident described the odor as a concern for the entire building.
“Not safe for the building — the whole building gotta be smelling that,” the resident said.
Another neighbor said the smell was so disturbing that they initially feared someone might have died inside the apartment.
“I’m thinking that there was a dead corpse here somewhere — when I find out it’s a freaking drug lab yo!” the resident said.
Bronx Residents Reported a Strong Odor for Months
Residents said the odor coming from the apartment had been noticeable for months, raising questions about what was happening inside the unit.
Evelyn Arredondo, who lives next door, said the smell irritated her throat, eyes and nose. She previously contacted the Fire Department of New York because she was concerned there might be a gas leak.
“Itch my throat, my eyes and my nose. And just I called the fire department — you know — I said maybe there’s gas around but they didn’t find nothing,” Arredondo said.
After the suspected grow operation was discovered, FDNY crews returned Monday with hazardous materials trucks. Workers were later seen removing plants and equipment from the apartment.
Arredondo said the discovery was particularly concerning because she lives with her child, who has asthma.
“I’m scared because I live with my child there and he got asthma so that’s scary,” she said.
Her concerns reflected the broader anxiety among residents who said they had been living with the unexplained odor without knowing its source.
Discovery During Eviction Raises Safety Concerns
According to the New York City Sheriff’s Office, a city marshal discovered the suspected cannabis-growing operation earlier Monday while carrying out an eviction at the residence.
The operation involved 30 cannabis plants inside a relatively small apartment, surprising neighbors who said they had noticed people entering and leaving the unit.
Resident Angeles Ramirez said the discovery immediately made her think about the possibility of an explosion.
“I’m there like what the hell? And all I’m thinking about is explosions and whatnot,” Ramirez said.
The incident also brought back memories of a deadly 2016 explosion at an illegal grow house in the Bronx. That explosion killed FDNY Battalion Chief Michael Fahy while he was responding to an investigation involving an illegal drug operation.
The earlier tragedy has added context to residents’ concerns about the potential dangers associated with suspected illegal grow operations in residential buildings.
However, authorities have not publicly established that the apartment discovered on Marion Avenue presented the same hazards as the operation involved in the 2016 explosion.
Sheriff Emphasizes Community Safety
In a statement, Sheriff Edwin Raymond said his office would continue working to address illegal operations that could threaten residents.
“The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our communities by disrupting illicit operations that threaten public safety and health. We will work diligently to ensure our neighborhoods remain safe places to live and work,” Raymond said.
Other residents also expressed concern about the possible impact on families living in the building.
“We have family, kids and it’s not healthy,” one resident said.
Neighbors said they had observed multiple men coming and going from the apartment, although they said the individuals did not stay long enough for residents to identify them.
The building superintendent said the tenants were behind on rent. The eviction was underway when the city marshal reportedly found the plants.
No Arrests Reported as of Monday
By Monday evening, workers were removing the cannabis plants and equipment from the apartment as authorities responded to the discovery.
No arrests had been reported as of Monday, according to the information available at the time. Further details about who operated the suspected grow house, how long it had been active or whether any charges would be filed were not provided.
For residents, the discovery offered an explanation for an odor they said had persisted for months, but it also left questions about the potential risks inside their building.
The investigation and any subsequent enforcement action will determine whether additional information emerges about the operation and the people connected to it.