Police: Akron Man, Sons Behind Massive Marijuana Growing, Trafficking Scheme

AKRON, Ohio — A local father and two of his sons face charges of cultivating marijuana, accused of using their business and three other locations to grow large quantities of pot.

Akron Police Captain Dan Zampelli says Edward R. Emerson, 69, Robert C. Emerson 25, and Edward J. Emerson, 28, have been charged with cultivating marijuana, with other charges possible.

Their arrests came after investigators raided Emerson Grinding, a family owned business on Kelly Avenue. They also raided three other homes that police say are owned by the Emersons including a home on nearby Emmett Street.

Photographs taken by detectives at that home show an elaborate irrigation system along with dozens of massive plants in various stages of production.

“This is all quantity driven,” said Zampelli, adding “They were not doing that for their own personal use. We have gathered at least 200 plants out of these various facilities that they were using to grow and the detectives that I spoke to, the narcotics detectives described the system as elaborate, one of the most elaborate they have seen.”

Photographs from the homes show sophisticated irrigation and filtration systems as well as elaborate electrical and ventilation systems for lighting.

A neighbor on Emmett avenue says he did not know what the Emersons were doing at the home, but he thought it was suspicious that they had a second electric meter installed at the property.

“Not only was a large quantity of marijuana and marijuana plants confiscated, we also confiscated a small quantity of heroine but also just importantly we were able to confiscate 12 different guns, everything from semi automatic rifles to handguns which are now in our possession, and over $25,000 in cash,” said Zampelli.

Neighbors living near the Kelly Avenue business were not surprised by news of the arrests.

Some had already suspected the Emerson’s were dealing marijuana.

“This is definitely, they were growing for the purpose of selling, and large quantity selling too so what we have been able to do is close down probably a main supplier of marijuana in this area,” said Zampelli.

Police are continuing their investigation, not yet ruling out the involvement of federal authorities.