62 plants, cash seized in Punta Gorda marijuana grow house bust

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Photo via Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

A marijuana bust netted 62 plants, money and equipment Friday at a grow house where a child and a special-needs adult live, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said.

Punta Gorda resident Lazaro Banos, 49, was arrested after he and Jacqueline Cartwright-Banos, 53, were interviewed at the home on Disston Avenue where the bust took place, according to the sheriff’s office. Cartwright-Banos wasn’t arrested.

Deputies found 21 mature marijuana plants, 31 marijuana clove plants, 10 small marijuana plants, more than 72 grams of bagged marijuana, and equipment, according to the sheriff’s office. In addition to the marijuana, deputies also found $2,730.

The combined weight of the mature marijuana plants 221.4 pounds, the sheriff’s office said. The weight of the other drugs is unclear.

A warrant was served to search the home after a traffic stop, but it’s unclear how the stop led deputies to the home.

Lazaro is facing multiple charges related to manufacturing marijuana, according to the sheriff’s office. The Department of Children and Families was also informed of the child and the adult with special needs living at the home.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call the narcotics unit at 941-575-5361, email tips to narcoticsunit@ccsofl.net or submit an anonymous tip by calling Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-700-TIPS.

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