Illegal Pot Growing Operation Found In SOBE Apt.
MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) - A Miami Beach couple has been arrested and charged with operating an illegal marijuana grow house out of their South Beach apartment.
According to a Miami Beach police, officers were called to 1535 Lenox Avenue #6 on Saturday, Nov. 6th regarding a man and a woman screaming inside the apartment. While standing at the door talking to the residents, Caio Minniti, 36, and Wendy Winder, 32, officers immediately noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from inside the apartment. After Winder gave permission to allow the officers inside, they found marijuana plants, a heat lamp, fans and a full exhaust system for cultivating the marijuana.
According to the police report, the growing crop was kept inside a black tent like structure with zipper front panels inside the kitchen. The black tent contained nine full grown marijuana plants about 4 feet tall. There was a complete exhaust system with a filer along with grow lights, fans, heating elements and fertilizer. The police report also states a marijuana web site was in clear view on Minniti's computer screen and numerous books next to the computer with instructions on growing marijuana. Officers also found five smaller plants inside a small closet, according to the report.
Minniti stated to police that he grows the marijuana for pain in his back.
Both Minniti and Winder were arrested and charged with Unlawful Selling / Manufacturing / Delivery of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession Marijuana over 20 grams.
