67 pot plants seized in raid

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Over 60 marijuana plants were seized from a field in the township when officials conducted a raid after a three-week-long investigation.

Peter Hahnke, 42, of North Brunswick, was charged on July 10 with maintaining a controlled-dangerous-substance production facility and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, both first-degree offenses. Hahnke, a twice-convicted felon, is facing a prison term of between 20 years and life, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

The 67 plants ranged in size from 2 feet to over 5 feet tall. Each fully mature marijuana plant can yield approximately 3 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $9,000. Each immature plant is estimated to yield approximately 1 pound of marijuana valued at approximately $3,000 for a total street value of over $200,000, according to the Prosecutor's Office.

Assisting in the investigation were the New Jersey State Police and the North Brunswick Police Department.

"This is the first seizure of an active marijuana grow in 2007 in Middlesex County," said Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan.