Police arrest 4, seize 320 marijuana plants in Greene County drug raid

CATSKILL -- A multi-agency investigation into a high-tech drug operation in Greene County resulted in the arrests of  four men during a large drug raid yesterday afternoon, the Greene County Sheriff's Office announced today.

The raid was carried out by town, county and state police agencies at 7413 Route 32 in the town of Cairo at around 3 p.m., said the Sheriff's Office.

Aaron Wolff, 43, of Haines Falls; Normand Hasenbalg, 51, of Catskill; Raymond Hillje, 36, of Catskill; and Kevin Starkey, 31, of Monroe, were arrested on charges of felony first-degree criminal possession of marijuana and misdemeanor growing cannabis.

At the time of the raid, the four men tried to flee the residence outside a side door, but were apprehended by deputies guarding the perimeter, said the Sheriff's Office.

The home, owned by Wolff, contained a "major, state-of-the-art growing operation," including advanced equipment and lighting within a garage.

"It's obvious this operation was being run for the purpose of dealing and we believe it has been operating for roughly two years," said Sheriff Gregory Seeley.

Police seized more than 320 marijuana plants and approximately $6,600 in cash. The marijuana is estimated to have a value of $500,000.

The Sheriff's Office said it has discovered other pot-growing operations in the course of its investigation, and that additional arrests are pending.

The four suspects from yesterday's raid were arraigned in Cairo Town Court. Wolff and Hasenbalg were remanded to the Greene County Jail on $5,000 cash bail; Hillje and Starkey were remanded to the jail on $7,500 cash bail.