By Andy Boyle, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 23, 2010
CLEARWATER – Police showed up to stop a fight. Instead they arrested a man they say was growing marijuana.
John Andrew Ortiz-Irizarry, 23, of Clearwater, was charged with manufacturing marijuana. He remained in Pinellas County Jail on Monday in lieu of $5,000 bail.
Police said they showed up near 24195 U.S. 19 at about 3 a.m. after a report of a possible fight involving multiple people. While investigating, officers received a tip that there might be pot plants stored in the trailer residence.
Police asked Ortiz-Irizarry if they could search his trailer. Police said they found 10 pot plants, 44 grams of pot seeds, 14.2 grams of pot residue and 3.3 grams of hydroponic marijuana.