Marijuana bust recovers more than $100,000
On Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at approximately 4:50 P.M., members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit responded to 2425 Churchill Avenue N, Lehigh Acres, in reference to a marijuana grow house operation.
Upon arrival, detectives noticed several indicators of a grow house. Also present on scene was a member of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit that alerted detectives to the presence of narcotics outside the home.
During the investigation, two men who lived at the address arrived on scene. Detectives informed the men about the nature of the investigation. When detectives asked if they could search inside the home, one of the two men told detectives to “get a warrant.” During this encounter, the K-9 indicated the presence of narcotics in the vehicle the two men were traveling in. A search of the vehicle revealed a small amount of marijuana on the driver side floor.
At 9:45 p.m. investigators presented a search warrant to the occupants of the residence. Once inside, detectives located 130 marijuana plants along with equipment used for the purpose of growing marijuana. Detectives also discovered nearly a pound and a half of marijuana packaged for sale in the kitchen. In total, the entire operation seized $130,000 worth of marijuana (please see attached photos).
Eduardo Perez-Riva (DOB 3/6/78) and Ramirez Jorge Orlando (DOB 1/14/62) have been charged with one count each of Producing Marijuana, Trafficking More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell and Possession of Narcotic Equipment. Each charge is a felony.
Booking photos and additional information are available on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.sherifflelfl.org under Arrest & Inmates / Search Lee County Arrests.
SOURCE: Lee County Sheriff’s Office