By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
Millstone River Road resident Nicholas Tafaro, 30, is wanted by police for what investigators say was a marijuana production facility at his home.
According to Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest, the charges against Mr. Tafaro were filed after aerial surveillance by the New Jersey National Guard, with assistance from the Hillsborough police, found marijuana plants growing in a wooded area behind his home.
Mr. Forrest said a search was then conducted at the property Aug. 28, and 51 marijuana plants, ranging from 2 feet to 5 feet in size, were seized in a wooded area behind Mr. Tafaro’s home.
Mr. Forrest said Tuesday that the seized marijuana is valued at more than a quarter of a million dollars.
A search warrant for the residence was obtained on Aug. 29, and police seized about 2 pounds of harvested marijuana, in addition to items used for the production of marijuana and for an indoor facility. Aside from the marijuana itself, police collected high-powered lighting systems; cooling and ventilation systems; and chemical fertilizers from the attic of the house.
Police have been unable to find Mr. Tafaro, and Mr. Forrest said that Mr. Tafaro’s name has been entered in the National Crime Information Center database as a wanted person after he was not found in the residence. Mr. Tafaro is described as a white male, about 5-feet 9-inches and 140 pounds with hazel eyes. Police said he may be driving a 2008 Ford F-150 pickup truck with New Jersey license plate VJZ33K.
A $500 reward is also being offered by the Somerset County Crime Stoppers for information leading to Mr. Tafaro’s arrest.
In addition to the initial charge, Mr. Tafaro is being charged with first-degree manufacturing marijuana and third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute.
Anyone with information on Mr. Tafaro’s whereabouts is asked to call the Somerset County Crime Stoppers toll free TIPS Line at 1-888-577-8477, or visit the prosecutor’s Web site at somersetcountycrimestoppers.org or scpo.net, and click on “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS Hotline.”
All calls are confidential and may be anonymous.

