Police say a woman running an unlicensed day care center on Parkside Avenue in Buffalo was being used to grow marijuana.
Officers raided Robin Fortner’s home Sunday and found nearly 300 marijuana plants in an elaborate growing room in the attic.
"It is unlike anything we've ever seen," said Senior Detective Alan Rozanski of the Erie County Sheriff's office. "The electrical, the lighting, the irrigation, all very planned out."
Police say Fortner, who has three children of her own who lived with her, also admitted running an unlicensed day care center in an area of her home. Fortner's children were home at the time of the raid.
"We found some plants drying, ready for sale," added Rozanski. "She admitted to selling the drug for $250 to $300 an ounce."
Police say Fortner has been growing this pot for at least a year in her attic, all while running a day care center out of her home.
"This is not an appropriate place to have kids come, " said Rozanski.
Neighbors we spoke with Monday say at the time of the raid Sunday, they smelled marijuana and saw a lot of police activity. One neighbor said, "My whole neighborhood smelled like pot."
The 42-year-old is charged with felony criminal possession of marijuana, acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and unlawfully growing marijuana.
A relative is caring for her children.
