VERO BEACH — On Aug. 20 at 6:57 p.m., the property owner of 846 16th Place contacted the Vero Beach Police Department to report that one of her tenants was cultivating marijuana in his apartment.
Ofc. Chad Reardin was dispatched to the address to meet with the property owner.
At the location, the property owner told Reardin that she recently noticed her electric bill had increased substantially and she could smell the odor of dirty clothes emitting from one of the apartments.
The property owner entered the apartment to investigate the odor and at that time observed a bright light emitting through a closet door.
Further investigation by the property owner revealed several marijuana plants in the closet growing in pots. The closet was also lined in foil and there were several small fans and grow lights hanging from a closet shelf. The tenant was not home at the time.
Based on the information supplied by the property owner, the Vero Beach Special Investigations Unit obtained a search warrant for the apartment.
At 10:04 p.m. the tenant, Stephen Velasco, returned home. Velasco was stopped by authorities in the parking lot and the search warrant was executed.
During the search of the apartment, 11 potted marijuana plants were found growing inside the closet.
Also found in the apartment was the following drug paraphernalia: ultraviolet lighting equipment, two temperature controlled cooling fans, a foil lined closet, several empty one gallon watering jugs, an air temperature thermometer, plant grinder, glass smoking device, digital scale and a watering schedule for the plants.
The total weight of the plants was approximately 19 grams.
Velasco was placed under arrest and agreed to speak to detectives. During the interview, Velasco admitted that he had been growing the plants for personal use, according to a police report.
Velasco was transported to the Indian River County jail and charged with cultivation of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
