Police stumbled onto 53 pounds of marijuana in a Cape Coral man’s home Wednesday after responding to an anonymous call stating the man had slapped a woman on his front lawn.

Madgel Hernandez, 37, was arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana and possession of narcotic equipment when police reportedly discovered the cannabis plants inside his home at 519 N.E. 19th Terrace, along with several scales, a 357 Magnum revolver and string reportedly used to dry the marijuana plants.

Police could not locate a female victim in Hernandez’s home while investigating the alleged physical abuse, but did locate 53.3 pounds of cannabis in plain view in various locations around the home, including near the front door, they said.

Additionally, officers found loose cannabis buds and stems outside on the pool deck, on the bank of a nearby canal and in a lot beside the home, reports indicate.

It was apparent someone had tried to “rid the home of the cannabis by throwing it out the back door of the residence and into or near the canal as the uniformed police officers were at the front of the home,” detectives reported.

Three men initially thought to be removing marijuana from Hernandez’s home when police arrived were spotted swimming in the canal behind the home, and were detained for the purpose of questioning, police said.

Hernandez reportedly said he did not know the men and that they may have been attempting to steal the drugs from his home. He found the marijuana plants near the canal, he told police.

The three swimmers were later released from the scene.

Hernandez reportedly admitted to owning the marijuana and the home where it was found.

Hernandez remained in the Lee County Jail on a combined $82,500 bond for both charges Thursday, according to booking records.