- April 26, 2024
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A Bunnell man has been charged with manufacturing marijuana after investigators, following up on a tip, found a number of plants growing in plain view behind his home.
Dwayne Reed, 49, was at his Nutwood Avenue home when the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, along with agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Tri County Narcotics Task Force, arrived around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. While walking up the driveway to the residence, investigators spotted a number of plants growing behind the home and smelled the distinct smell of marijuana.
After speaking with investigators, Reed allowed them to search his property.
In the rear of Reed’s home, investigators found 18 marijuana plants growing in pots. Reed then escorted investigators inside, where two separate “grow rooms” — each equipped with high voltage lights, ballasts and fans — were located. In one of the rooms, investigators found 29 plants being grown and, in the second room, an additional 14 plants were found.
The marijuana is estimated to have a street value of $61,000.
Investigators said that Reed was cooperative throughout their investigation and told them that he grows the marijuana for personal use for pain relief from a previous injury. He said that he does not distribute.
“It is hard to believe any one person could conceivably try to claim that growing 61 marijuana plants was purely for personal use,” said Sheriff James L. Manfre. “We’ll have to wait and see how the case unfolds once it’s in the courts.
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Charges on Reed are being forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office.
