Drug Manufacturing

Published on: January 30, 2014

Lee County Criminal Defense Attorney :: Police Bust Cape Coral Grow House

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Cape Coral police took down a marijuana grow house in a NE Cape Coral neighborhood on Wednesday, allegedly seizing more than 57 pounds of raw marijuana and $13,000 in cash.

Police responded to the residence after LCEC personnel discovered that electrical power was being illegally diverted to the residence.

As officers stepped onto the premises, they claim they could smell the odor of raw marijuana coming from the front of the house.

A total of 57.3 pounds of cannabis was seized along with $13,000 in US currency from a Cape Coral grow house.

Detectives executed a search warrant and notified the resident inside the home.

Detectives allegedly uncovered a fully operational grow house inside the home.

A total of 57.3 pounds of cannabis was seized along with $13,000 in US currency, according to reports.

The investigation revealed that a woman rented the home for the explicit purpose of cultivating cannabis and was paid by a 3rd party to maintain the crop, according to police.

The woman was arrested on multiple charges and transported to the Lee County Jail.

Even though marijuana has been legalized in many states, the state of Florida still criminalizes the possession of this popular recreational drug. The state of Florida has some of the toughest marijuana laws in the country, and anyone convicted of a marijuana-related offense can face jail or prison time, extensive fines and other consequences such as a driver’s license suspension. Florida’s marijuana laws are harsh, which is why you cannot take these charges lightly. You need the help of a criminal defense lawyer to fight aggressively for a positive outcome.

Published on: October 23, 2013

Putnam County Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Police Locate Methamphetamine Lab inside Travel Trailer

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

An Interlachen man was arrested Thursday for allegedly manufacturing methamphetamine inside a travel trailer.

Deputies responded to an Interlachen home to follow up on an investigation, when they claim they observed people in a travel trailer behind the residence.

Deputies went behind the house to speak with the individuals at the travel trailer, when they claim they detected an odor that is common in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

Several people were apparently inside the trailer. Police asked the subjects to exit the trailer and one man who appeared to own the trailer allegedly gave police permission to search the premises.

Two one pot methamphetamine labs were located under the man’s bed, according to police. The man was detained for the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
Police claim the man provide them with a fictitious name when originally asked because he had outstanding arrest warrants in Levy and Alachua Counties.

The Putnam County Clandestine Meth Lab Team responded to the scene to secure the any hazardous chemicals.

The 46-year-old man was arrested and booked into the Putnam County jail on the following charges: manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of listed chemicals, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, maintaining a drug dwelling, resisting an officer without violence.

He was denied bond.

Manufacturing methamphetamine is a serious offense in Putnam County and throughout the state of Florida. Florida is a state that has seen a resurgence of meth addiction, which has led to state legislatures cracking down on drug-related charges. Meth consumption has been able to flourish due to the relative ease of manufacturing meth at homes or in backyard meth labs using easily obtainable and perfectly legal chemicals.

Published on: October 7, 2013

Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer :: 11 Arrested for Manufacturing Synthetic Cannabis

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

In a joint effort with the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office shut down synthetic marijuana labs in St. Johns and Flagler counties last month.

The drug is commonly referred to on the street as “Spice.”

A total of 11 people were arrested on charges of sale of a controlled substance. Of the 11 arrested, 5 were charged with breaking the state’s racketeering laws. According to the Sheriff’s Office, seven of those charged were from St. Augustine, one was from Jacksonville, another was from Bunnell and one lived in Dothan, Alabama.

The seven-month investigation dubbed “Operation Bad Dreamer” ended when about 80 law enforcement officers busted 11 locations across St. Johns and Flagler Counties, allegedly seizing $70,000 and about 370 pounds of “product.”

The term drug manufacturing refers to creating drugs using alternative means other than growing. In most cases, drug manufacturing charges involve methamphetamine, LSD and most recently, synthetic marijuana, often referred to as Spice and K2. Drug cultivation is similar to drug manufacturing charges, but refers to growing, planting or harvesting drugs.

As this case shows, drug manufacturing cases often involve large-scale operations, many defendants and can cross county and even state lines. When facing charges stemming from manufacturing synthetic cannabis, Ketamine, PCP, heroin, GBL, derivatives of GHB or bath salts, you should take these seriously as a conviction could affect all aspects of your life making it difficult to apply to college, obtain a job or sustain a professional license in the future. As the laws regarding these newer synthetic and designer drugs become more defined, you can be sure that the prosecution will keep seeking harsher sentences.

Published on: September 27, 2013

Bradford County Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Father and Son Accused of Growing Large Amounts of Marijuana

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A father and son were arrested last week after the Florida Wildlife Commission discovered several marijuana plants at a residence while investigating a hunting complaint.

Florida Wildlife Commission personnel discovered the plants around 8:30 p.m. and contacted the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office.

The officers surveyed the plants and the property before the father and son arrived at the residence, according to a Bradford County Sheriff’s Office press release.

Agents from the Bradford County Drug Unit were called to the scene and were given consent to search the residence and surrounding property.

According to the reports, a total of 149 marijuana plants were found. Police claim the plants varied in size with the tallest reaching heights of around 5 feet.

A large amount of seeds and processed marijuana for smoking were allegedly found at the residence.

The father and son apparently confessed to growing and possessing the drugs. They allegedly told investigators the marijuana was for their personal use.

The 52-year-old father and 20-year-old son posted bond and were released from the Bradford County Jail.

The father is facing charges of marijuana production, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The son is charged with marijuana production and marijuana possession.

The state of Florida views drug related offenses quite seriously. While the public opinion
regarding marijuana production and its use has been changing across the United States in recent years, the fact remains that marijuana is still illegal in Florida. Prosecutors in Bradford County and across Florida do not take marijuana charges lightly and you can be sure they will be aggressive in their pursuit of a conviction. Growing, manufacturing or cultivating marijuana is a very serious offense on the state and federal level. These charges can be further complicated when other drug charges are involved.

Published on: October 11, 2012

Largo Police Raid Meth Lab on Seminole Boulevard :: Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Police busted an alleged meth lab hidden in a mobile home park along Seminole Boulevard in Largo, Florida this week.

On Wednesday, Largo police and the Drug Enforcement Agency claim they discovered iodine, a bottle of vodka, bug spray and other ingredients cooking in a trailer when they arrived at the property. They arrested the trailer’s occupant, a 37-year-old man, on charges of manufacturing and possessing methamphetamine.

Police allege that tips from anonymous sources led them to the mobile home park.
Many police, prosecutors and DEA agents believe methamphetamine to be one of the most harmful drugs in the country. Also known as crystal meth, ice or speed, methamphetamine has become an increasingly popular drug because the ingredients are cheap and perfectly legal to purchase. However, due to the unpredictable nature of the chemicals involved in the cooking process, meth is extremely intoxicating and highly addictive. Because of this, state and federal governments have amped up their efforts to control methamphetamine manufacturing and possession.

Published on: July 10, 2012

Two Homosassa Men Charged with Intent to Manufacture Meth :: Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Two Citrus County men were arrested Tuesday after Citrus County Sheriff’s deputies claim they purchased items consistent with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Deputies arrested the men after allegedly witnessing them purchase lye, Ephedrine, fertilizer and camping fuel, which are the components known to be used in what is called one-pot meth manufacturing.

The men were stopped by a deputy on patrol after allegedly running a red light.

A K-9 deputy was called to sniff the vehicle. Police apparently uncovered camping fuel, lye, fertilizer and a pill bottle with baggies inside that tested positive for cocaine residue.

Both men were allegedly read their rights, but agreed to speak to law enforcement.

According to police, both men apparently admitted that they had not manufactured any methamphetamine, but intended to. Police claim one of the men told them he had recently lost his job and could not pay his electric bill, so the meth cook was a last-ditch effort to make some money.

After searching one of the men’s home, law enforcement officers allegedly uncovered chemicals and other paraphernalia including two syringes, a spoon and devices used to smoke spice, several marijuana seeds and trace amounts of marijuana.

Both men were arrested and transported to the Citrus County jail.

One of the men was charged with intent to manufacture meth, petit theft, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia and listed chemicals intended to manufacture a controlled substance.

The other man was charged with intent to manufacture meth and possession of drug paraphernalia and listed chemicals intended to manufacture a controlled substance.

Both of their bonds were set at $151,250.

Methamphetamine, also called meth, speed or ice has become increasingly popular due to the fact that it is relatively easy to manufacture at homes or backyard meth labs using chemicals that are readily available and perfectly legal to buy. Since the chemicals and components to manufacture this drug are affordable and easy to come by, police have increased their efforts to arrest those suspected of possessing, distributing or manufacturing meth.

Methamphetamine charges carry severe consequences. Possessing 14 or more grams of methamphetamines, or the chemicals used to make meth is classified as felony trafficking in Florida. The penalties associated with a conviction can range from a minimum mandatory sentence of 3 years in prison and a $50,000 fine to 15 years behind bars and a $250,000 fine. There are numerous other factors that could increase the consequences related to a methamphetamine case, including the proximity to school property or other locations, the presence of firearms, past criminal convictions, and whether you face state or federal charges.

Because shutting down meth manufacturing operations has been the focus of law enforcement officers throughout the state of Florida in recent years, police may try and perform illegal searches in order to prosecute these crimes. The Florida Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can protect your rights and make sure that law enforcement officials followed the strict state and federal laws for collecting evidence in a meth raid. Drug crimes are incredibly complex in the state of Florida, so it is absolutely vital to have a criminal defense lawyer in your corner. At Whittel & Melton, we can guide you through this difficult experience and work with prosecutors to possibly have the charges against you reduced.