U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest of Ferrydoon M. Ardehali from Staten Island, NY, and Colby Riggle from California. The two men face charges for manufacturing and possessing with intent to distribute over 1,000 marijuana plants. This charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and could lead to a life sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Duncan, who is managing the case, explained that the DEA began investigating the operation in January 2025. The illegal cultivation was directed by Ardehali and Riggle on Daansen Road in Walworth, NY. The investigation showed that they were distributing marijuana to various businesses licensed as cannabis grow facilities in New York State under the name Integrity Farms & Greenhouses, Inc. However, checks revealed that neither this business nor any associated operations had been granted a license by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management.
On May 14, 2025, authorities executed a search warrant at the site on Daansen Road. They discovered large-scale marijuana cultivation and processing within the facility. Approximately 29,406 growing marijuana plants and around 3,700 pounds of processed marijuana were seized.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino; Wayne County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Robert Milby; Federal Bureau of Investigation led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations led by Acting Field Office Director Steven Kurzdorfer; U.S. Border Patrol's Buffalo Station led by Patrol Agent-in-Charge Martin Coombs; Customs and Border Protection led by Director Rose Brophy; Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation New York led by Harry Chavis; Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Eric Butler; Cuba Police Department under Chief Dustin Burch; Olean Police Department under Chief Ron Richardson; Salamanca Police Department under Chief Jamie Deck.
It is important to note that charges are accusations at this stage, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.