State Park Police got a tip in May and monitored the crop until making an arrest this month
A Pennsylvania man has been charged with cultivating 25 marijuana plants in Wharton State Forest after detectives from the State Park Police got a tip about the crop, police said.
Edward Green, 66, of Feasterville, Pa., faces charges of illegal cultivation and distribution of marijuana, the state park police said.
An anonymous tip in May led detectives to the 25 marijuana plants in the 115,000-acre Wharton State Forest. Detectives monitored the location until Green was arrested July 20, police said.
"We had a good idea of Green's actions throughout our investigation, and knew it was only a matter of time that our hard work would pay off catching him at the site," said state park police Detective Brian Calloway. "We are sending a clear message to anyone out there, to think again before using protected NJ State Lands for illicit activity."
The Army National Guard assisted with the investigation, police said.
Wharton State Forest, which includes land in Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties is New Jersey's largest single tract of land in the state park system. It was not disclosed where the marijuana plants were found within the park.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
