[PHOTO CREDIT: iStock / InvisibleNature]
[Original Publish Date: 11/15/19]
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GROVELAND, Florida – A non-working taillight led to the discovery of more than 3,200 grams of THC oil, a bag of hallucinogenic mushrooms, a Glock 23 handgun and multiple bags of marijuana Thursday night.
According to an arrest affidavit, just after 9 p.m. Thursday, Groveland Police spotted a 2007 Toyota with a non-working taillight traveling eastbound on State Road 50. A Groveland Police officer paced the car at 50 mph in a 40 mph zone.
Upon stopping the car, police made contact with the driver, as well as the front seat passenger of the car – its registered owner, Anthlone Washington Wade. There was also a female in the backseat. While speaking with the trio, the officer, “smelled the distinct odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle,” he noted in the affidavit.
Wade, 25, of Minneola asked the officer if he could reach into the center console and the officer allowed it. He then asked if there were any guns, drugs or weapons inside the vehicle. Wade appeared nervous, the officer noted. Wade said he had his gun and reached down to the passenger side door. Wade said it was not loaded and put his hands up, the affidavit states. The office asked about drugs again and Wade said there might be some “weed” in the vehicle.
A K9 officer arrived on scene, Wade exited the car and the arresting officer secured the Glock handgun and found it was loaded, despite Wade telling him earlier it was not. Wade does not have a concealed carry license, according to the affidavit. Wade then pulled the arresting officer aside and told him there was about 1 to 2 grams of marijuana in the car. The officer removed a brown plastic bag from Wade’s hand and placed him in his patrol car.
Upon searching the vehicle, the officer found quite a stash. He found a paper tab believed to be acid or molly in the console, a digital scale in the driver’s door, a Crown Royal bag with marijuana and a grinder in the backseat, shrooms in the bag he took from Wade and two baggies containing numerous liquid THC containers. (There were 29 Big Chief blackberry Kush, 14 Tangie Sativa packages, 21 Cookies Hybrid packages and 14 Runtz cart packages, the affidavit states.) In the trunk the officer located a backpack containing more paper tabs and three bags of marijuana; another bag of marijuana was later located in a food bag in the passenger side floorboard where wade was sitting, the affidavit states.
The trio was questioned again after the discovery of the drugs and all three denied knowledge. Wade changed his story several times and told the officer the marijuana in the Crown Royal bag belonged to female passenger, who he said has a medical marijuana license. She denied the marijuana was hers and stated she did not have a medical marijuana license.
Wade was arrested and charged with trafficking synthetic cannabinoids, possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms, possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, carrying a concealed firearm without a license and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony. He was released from the Lake County Jail – less than seven hours after he was booked – on $47,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
