New York City investigators discovered a marijuana facility inside one of the biggest maraschino cherry processing building in Brooklyn. The factory, located in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, was being raided, which caused the owner to shoot himself while they were entering the scene.
Dell’s Maraschino Cherries was founded in 1948, and has always been a family operated business, but according to the authorities, it was also the home to a large-scale marijuana growing business. Authorities discovered the operation after a complaint was made because it was believed that they were illegally dumping chemicals into nearby waters.
Arthur Mondella at first seemed nonchalant and was ok with the authorities looking around in response to the complaint. Authorities then claimed that they smelled marijuana and noticed some unsupported shelving units, causing Mondella to start getting quiet and unresponsive.
A statement from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office describes that a team member brought their new discovery to Mondella’s attention and stated, “Well we’re going to get a warrant to get behind this wall.” The statement went on to mention that Mondella then, “excused himself to his private bathroom where he apparently shot himself and died at a local hospital.”
It was also reported that right before the shooting, Mondella yelled to his sister and asked her to take care of his children. After Mondella killed himself, authorities searched the newly remodeled premises to discover an estimated 80 pounds of marijuana along with hundreds of thousands of dollars and luxury vehicles.
While this new discovery has been the main attention of the police, they have yet to investigate the original complaint of polluting the nearby water.
Photo By: Sam Hodgson for The New York Times
