U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest and charging of Ferrydoon M. Ardehali, 55, from Staten Island, NY, and Colby Riggle, 37, from California. They are accused of manufacturing and possessing with intent to distribute over 1,000 marijuana plants. This charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years in prison and could result in a life sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Duncan is handling the case. According to the complaint, the DEA began investigating an illegal marijuana cultivation operation in January 2025 under Ardehali's and Riggle's direction on Daansen Road in Walworth, NY. The investigation found that they were selling marijuana to several New York State-authorized cannabis grow facilities under the business name Integrity Farms & Greenhouses, Inc. However, checks with the New York State Office of Cannabis Management revealed that neither this business nor any associated entities had a license to grow cannabis or hemp.
On May 14, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at the Daansen Road property. The complaint states that large-scale marijuana growing, processing, and packaging activities were evident at the facility. Approximately 29,406 growing marijuana plants and about 3,700 pounds of processed marijuana were seized.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino; Wayne County Sheriff’s Office directed by Sheriff Robert Milby; Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement overseen by Acting Field Office Director Steven Kurzdorfer; U.S. Border Patrol led by Buffalo Station Patrol Agent-in-Charge Martin Coombs; Customs and Border Protection under Director Rose Brophy; Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation New York headed by Harry Chavis; Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office led by Sheriff Eric Butler; Cuba Police Department directed by Chief Dustin Burch; Olean Police Department led by Chief Ron Richardson; and Salamanca Police Department directed by Chief Jamie Deck.
It is important to note that being charged with a crime is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
