Crime & Safety

Police Raid Two Pot Growing Operations

Three Peabody men were charged in the raids.

The Peabody Police Narcotics Unit, Saugus Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms/Explosives raided two “sophisticated” marijuana growing operating in Peabody on Monday.

Police executed search warrants simultaneously at 112 Margin St., and 132 Winona St., confiscated about 500 marijuana plants with a potential street value of $500,000 and arrested three Peabody men. 

Peabody Police said a large operation was found in the basemnt of 112 Margin St. Investigators also found numerous firearms and an “explosive device” during the search. The Massachusetts Hazardous Sections Unit responded to the scene and secured the explosive without incident.

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Two people in the residence were licensed to carry/possess firearms. Police confiscated the guns pending further investigation and suspended the licenses.

In the second location at 132 Winona Street, officers found marijuana plants “in various stages of growth” in two bedrooms and the exterior of the building.

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Police arrested:

  • Justin Damico, 21, 27 Elaine Ave., Peabody, and charged him with possessing a Class D drug with the intent to distribute, conspiracy to violate drug law, possessing an infernal machine, possessing a Class C drug with the intent to distribute, possessing a large capacity feeding device, possessing a Class D drug and improperly storing a firearm.
  • John Damico, 35, 112 Margin St., Apt. 1, Peabody, and charged him with possessing a Class D drug with the intent to distribute, conspiracy to violate drug law, improperly storing a firearm, possessing an infernal machine, possessing a Class C drug with the intent to distribute, possessing a large capacity feeding device and possessing a Class D drug.
  • Joseph Damico, 44, 27 Elaine St., Peabody, and charged him with possessing a Class D drug, conspiracy to violate drug law, possessing a Class D drug with the intent to distribute and possessing a Class C drug with the intent to distribute.

 

Police said the matter is under investigation and more arrests may occur.


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