VERO BEACH — The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Criminal Enforcement (M.A.C.E.) Unit has found and dismantled a grow house in the 1800 block of 33rd Avenue, just south of State Road 60, according to authorities.
Late Tuesday evening, deputies with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office responded to the home to conduct a welfare check on a one-year-old child, according to a press release. The M.A.C.E. Unit obtained information that the residents of the home were growing marijuana inside. When deputies arrived, they smelled a strong odor of fresh marijuana coming from inside the home.
M.A.C.E. detectives obtained a search warrant for the home, according to the Sheriff’s Office. They located and seized 23 marijuana plants, seven ounces of marijuana stems and leaves, 123 grams of finished marijuana product, “pot” or marijuana infused marijuana, cocaine residue, miscellaneous drug paraphernalia including syringes and a digital scale, and equipment used to grow marijuana.
Detectives estimate the street value of the seized marijuana at over $17,000.
David Snyder, 54, of Vero Beach, was arrested and faces charges of cultivation of marijuana, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to authorities.
Snyder is currently being held on $18,500 bond.
The one-year-old child was located inside the residence unharmed, and turned over to the mother.
Detectives continue to investigate this situation and other charges are possible.
“We are glad the child in this case was not harmed,” said Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar. “The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to keeping our children safe from situations like this.”
