HILLSBOROUGH: Man pleads guilty to growing marijuana

By Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
   A former Millstone River Road resident pleaded guilty Friday to a first-degree charge of maintaining a marijuana production facility; a first-degree charge of possessing more than 50 marijuana plants with the intent to manufacture and distribute; and a third-degree charge of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest.
   Nicholas Tafaro, 30, admitted he had 51 marijuana plants in his yard, which he grew and intended to distribute. He also admitted to having a marijuana “grow room” in his attic to grow the plants until they could be planted in his yard.
   This room also was used for harvesting mature marijuana plants and packaging them for distribution.
   Mr. Tafaro is scheduled to be sentenced May 15. Mr. Tafaro faces up to 20 years in prison with at least five and a half to be served before being eligible for parole, Mr. Forrest said.
   Mr. Tafaro originally surrendered to police in September after charges were filed in August in response to aerial surveillance, conducted by the New Jersey National Guard, which found marijuana plants growing in his backyard.
   According to Mr. Forrest, members of the Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force as well as the Hillsborough Township Police Department found 51 marijuana plants in the wooded area behind the residence.
   A search warrant was obtained Aug. 29, Mr. Forrest said, and authorities found items for the production of a marijuana indoor production facility in Mr. Tafaro’s home. Mr. Forrest said they found about 2 pounds of harvested marijuana as well as high-powered lighting systems; cooling and ventilation systems; and chemical fertilizers, all in the attic of the residence.
   In addition, Mr. Forrest said detectives found more than three ounces of packaged marijuana.