Florida Criminal Attorney Blog
Detectives arrested a St. Petersburg man who was allegedly running a drug operation involving more than $1 million worth of marijuana.
The 24-year-old is facing charges of possession of marijuana with intent to sell and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Detectives claim they have been watching the man for several years.They received a tip that he was storing large quantities of marijuana in his apartment, which led them to obtain a search warrant, according to reports.
On March 23, investigators went to his apartment and apparently found 23 pounds of high-grade hydroponic marijuana that was packaged and ready for distribution inside his kitchen cabinets. Detectives claim they also found three guns and $87,000 in suspected drug money.
For the next month, detectives continued to investigate the man, and they claim they were able to identify about 230 pounds of marijuana — including the 23 pounds found his house apartment — and $168,000 cash associated with his operation.
Police say 230 pounds of marijuana has a street value of $1,150,000.
The U.S. Postal Service assisted police with the investigation, according to reports.
Being caught with any amount of marijuana and charged with a crime of marijuana possession in Florida is a very common drug charge. However, this does not mean you should take these charges lightly. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, you could be facing hefty fines, a permanent criminal record, and a significant amount of time behind bars.
Not all marijuana charges are simple, and depending on the amount of drugs that were in your possession when police arrested you, you could be looking at a misdemeanor or a serious felony charge. At Whittel & Melton, our Pinellas County Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers know what you are up against and want to help you. We have experience fighting drug charges in Florida courts, and can help you weigh out your options and determine the best defense for you. Call us today at 727-823-0000 discuss the details of your case or contact us online.