The marijuana mogul who allegedly operated a “weed farm” on Hone Avenue, until it went up in smoke, has been arrested, police confirmed. Sgt. Patrick Brown and Sgt. Allan Gonzalez apprehended 45-year old Jeff Mosberg of 2711 Hone Avenue on Wednesday, January 13, 49th Precinct Captain John Greeley said.
When fire erupted at the two-story house near Allerton Avenue early on Tuesday, January 12, firefighters discovered approximately 100 potted marijuana plants, lamps and a cache of guns, court records revealed. Police confiscated 75 pounds of marijuana, ammunition and six guns: three assault rifles, a sniper gun, a .22-caliber rifle and a 12-guage shotgun, Greeley said. Mosberg wasn’t present for the blaze. The guns were found in his bedroom, court records revealed.
“[Brown and Gonzalez] tracked [Mosberg] down,” Greeley said. “They did a great job. The arrest should help out with drugs in the neighborhood and quality of life issues.”
Neighbors who witnessed the blaze described a fog-cloud of smoke. Marijuana plants were found throughout the first and second floors. No one had complained about the house to the 49th Precinct prior to the blaze, Joe Thompson of the 49th Precinct Community Council said.
“It was under the radar,” he explained.
Sal Castorina of the Allerton Avenue Homeowners Association was glad to see the weed farm exposed.
“You don’t want fires but when someone has marijuana plants and guns that’s detrimental to the neighborhood,” Castorina said.
Mosberg, charged criminal possession of marijuana and criminal possession of a weapon, pled not guilty on Thursday, January 14. His bail was set at $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond, court records revealed. Mosberg was convicted for criminal possession of a controlled substance in 1987 in Westchester County.
Reach reporter Daniel Beekman at 718 742-3383 or dbeekman@cnglocal.com
