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8-20-13- Springfield - Police raided 95 Merida St. in the East Springfield neighborhood Tuesday night, arrested a father and son and seized more 57 marijuana plants growing in the backyard. This photograph, taken by Springfield police, was taken from a vacant home next door.

SPRINGFIELD -- An East Springfield neighborhood father and son -- the alleged proprietors of a large-scale marijuana growing operation in the backyard of their home -- attempted to hide the plants among a crop of tomatoes, police said.

From left, in photos provided by Springfield police: Michael and Ronald Oliverio

“But the marijuana grew a lot bigger than the tomatoes,” Police Sgt. John M. Delaney said.

Narcotics detectives, after a month-long investigation, raided the home at 95 Merida St. at about 8:40 p.m. Tuesday.



Delaney said the 57 plants seized, in varying stages of growth and with some ready to be harvested, had a potential street value of as much as $5,000 apiece -- for a total of as much as $285,000.

Arrested were: Michael P. Oliverio, 45, and Ronald L. Oliverio, 74, both of 95 Merida St. They were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, trafficking in an opium-based product and cultivation of marijuana.



"In their investigation detectives learned that Michael Oliverio was bragging to people that he didn't have to work because he was making so much money selling drugs," said Delaney, aide to Commissioner William Fitchet.



Delaney said that detectives, over the course of their investigation, could see the marijuana growing in the backyard. Others likely could as well. "It was obvious the neighbors knew what was going on," Delaney said.



The house directly behind the growing operation, which had the best view of the towering plants, was vacant, Delaney said -- a fact that may have had the suspects feeling more secure in their ability to grow the plants.



Delaney said when police entered the dwelling they observed Michael Oliverio holding a bag containing three big bags of marijuana and 160 grams of methadone pills.



Police also seized scales, packaging and $7,989 in cash, Delaney said.



Detectives, Delaney said, will file paperwork to seize the dwelling as well.

Neighbors said the house was never the scene of any disruption and they never saw a police presence. It was quiet and unobtrusive.



The house is a one-and-a-half story blue Cape ringed with shrubbery in the front and a tall wooden stockade fence in the rear.



One neighbor said the fence only went up in the last two weeks. "Somebody went to a lot of expense to protect their vegetable garden," the neighbor, who did not give a name, said.

Others in the neighborhood expressed surprise.

Neighbor Laura Egan, who lives across the street, was home when police arrived. She said the alleged drug growers had been there at least five years. There is an old Dodge van parked in the driveway and a new pickup in front of the home. There are two separate signs in the yard proclaiming that the property is protected by two security systems.

The suspects are slated to be arraigned Wednesday in District Court.