By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
HILLSBOROUGH — Millstone River Road resident Nicholas Tafaro, 30, wanted by police for running what investigators have said is a marijuana production facility at his home, surrendered to authorities Monday.
Mr. Tafaro was charged with first-degree maintaining a marijuana production facility, first-degree manufacturing marijuana and third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute.
Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest said Mr. Tafaro surrendered himself to the Hillsborough Police Department at about 2 p.m., and was transported to Somerset County Jail, with bail set at $200,000, cash only.
Charges were initially filed after an aerial surveillance, conducted by the United States National Guard, observed marijuana plants growing in Mr. Tafaro’s backyard. After obtaining consent to search from the owner of the property which Mr. Forrest said Mr. Tafaro rents members of the prosecutor’s office and Hillsborough Township Police Department seized 51 marijuana plants from the wooded area behind the house Aug 28.
Mr. Forrest has said that this seized marijuana was valued at more than a quarter of a million dollars.
On Aug. 29, Mr. Forrest said, a search warrant was obtained for the residence, and police collected 2 pounds of harvested marijuana; high-powered lighting systems; cooling and ventilation systems; and chemical fertilizers in his attic.

