New Info In Huge Marijuana Bust; Batesville Man Groomed Plants

By Mike Perleberg (Indianapolis, Ind.) – In one of the largest illegal marijuana growing operations in Indiana history, a Batesville man’s role was to tend to the plants. For allegedly checking the pH and nutrients and trimming more than 400 plants five days a week, Christopher Michael Batta would receive ten percent of all sales of the marijuana that was selling at about $2,500 per pound. The operation generated an income of up to $48,000 each week, according to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court. Batta, 37, was among four people arrested with the FBI, DEA, Indiana State Police, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police raided a warehouse on Indianapolis’ southside on Wednesday, June 10. The investigation began in February when state police received an anonymous tip that marijuana was being grown there. Police obtained utility records which showed the warehouse had “substantial power consumption.” Inside the warehouse, agents located 441 marijuana plants, 60 pounds of processed marijuana, and two pounds of high THC level hash oil – sometimes called “honey oil”, “wax”, or “Buddah” - processed from the plants. The products were worth an estimated $250,000. The large growing operation had been operating since January in a warehouse rented by Indianapolis resident George R. Dennis, 67, of Indianapolis. According to the affidavit in federal court, Batta told investigators that his involvement in the grow operation was a business proposition from Dennis, who he had met through friend Nigel DeChristopher, of Beech Grove. Previously unemployed, Batta said he helped run water lines and hang lights at the warehouse for three or four months before the operation was up and running. At that point, he began trimming and looking after the plants while DeChristopher packaged the product for sale. When they executed a search warrant at Batta’s home on South Main Street in Batesville, agents found about $5,000 in cash hidden in his bedroom. Batta, DeChristopher, Dennis, and a fourth suspect, Zachary S. John, are each facing federal charges of Manufacture Marijuana Plants and Conspire to Manufacture Marijuana Plants. All four have been released from jail own their own recognizance. RELATED STORIES: Batesville Residents Arrested Following Huge Indy Pot Bust