Police Bust Up Marijuana Growing Operation at Area Home

Manchester Police, with the aid of the Capitol Region Emergency Tactical Team, raided a Birch Mountain Road home Thursday and took two people into custody on charges of running a marijuana growing operation. 

According to police, when officers obtained a search warrant and entered the residence they found approximately 4.5 pounds of marijuana, marijuana growing equipment and other drug paraphernalia. Two residents at the house, Paul Andrew Bato and Amanda Macey, were taken into custody as result. 

Police responded to the same 536 Birch Mountain Rd. home last Thursday night based on reports that one of the residents may have been holding others in the house hostage at gun point, but those reports did not turn out to be accurate. In that instance, only Macey was taken into custody and charged with breach of peace, second-degree threatening, second-degree reckless endangerment and carrying a dangerous weapon. 

On Thursday, Bato, 46, was charged with the cultivation of marijuana, possession of more than 4 ounces of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a drug factory. He is being held on a $200,000 bond. Macey, 28, was charged with the cultivation of marijuana, possession of more than 4 ounces of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a drug factory. She is being held on a $5,000 bond. 

Bato has an extensive criminal history in Connecticut, according to police, and is currently awaiting trial on cases for manslaughter and first-degree harassment.