Two Men Accused in Massive Unlicensed 29,000 Marijuana Plant Operation Released

Two individuals arrested in connection with a sprawling illegal cannabis cultivation operation in Wayne County have been conditionally released from federal custody as legal proceedings begin in Buffalo’s U.S. District Court.

U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr. ruled on Thursday that Ferrydoon M. Ardehali, 55, of Staten Island, could be released on a $20,000 unsecured bond, dismissing government arguments that he posed a flight risk.

“I’d have to be intellectually dishonest to agree with that assessment,” Judge Schroeder said from the bench.

As part of his release, Ardehali is permitted to return both to his home in Staten Island and the Wayne County property at the center of the case. Colby Riggle, 37, of California, who was arrested alongside Ardehali, was released shortly after his initial appearance last week.

The two men were arrested after DEA agents raided a 26-acre property in the Town of Walworth discovering nearly 30,000 marijuana plants growing inside 45 interconnected greenhouse structures. The property operated under the name Integrity Farms & Greenhouses Inc., which according to federal prosecutors lacked the required state licensing to cultivate cannabis.

Investigators say that the farm distributed marijuana to multiple cannabis dispensaries statewide including Erie and Niagara County despite not having authorization from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).

During court proceedings, Ardehali’s attorney, J. Patrick Lennon, pushed back against claims that his client operated a covert drug business. He emphasized that the farm was visible from a public road and that Ardehali had been in ongoing communication with both state regulators and local authorities.

“This is not some clandestine criminal enterprise,” Lennon said. “He’s not hiding. He’s been open with the state.”

Lennon also pointed out that Ardehali and his wife had previously run a housing company for the homeless in New York City. The couple reportedly closed the business in anticipation of securing a cannabis license, which Ardehali insists he applied for but had not yet received.

“If this were some underground drug operation,” Lennon argued, “he wouldn’t be drowning in debt.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Duncan painted a different picture, accusing Ardehali of prioritizing financial gain over legal compliance.

“He chose to chase fast money instead of waiting for proper authorization,” Duncan told the court, adding that Ardehali admitted to owning the farm and acknowledged he lacked a state license.

DEA task force agent Cory Higgins stated in an affidavit that Ardehali told agents directly that he was aware he had no permit to grow cannabis.

Both Ardehali and Riggle face federal charges of cultivating and possessing with intent to distribute more than 1,000 marijuana plants, a felony that carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, if convicted.

Riggle's legal team maintains that he had no ownership or managerial role in the business. Federal Public Defender Fonda Dawn Kubiak described him as a farm worker with limited involvement.

“Mr. Riggle maintains his innocence and is prepared to defend himself,” Kubiak said.

Judge Schroeder concluded Thursday’s hearing by noting that while the operation was indeed unauthorized, it was not comparable to typical drug trafficking scenarios.

“This isn’t a meth lab tucked away in some hidden corner,” he said, underscoring the transparency and public visibility of the farming operation.

Two Men Accused in Massive Unlicensed 29,000 Marijuana Plant Operation Released