Task Force Detectives Serve Search Warrant, 73 Marijuana Plants Seized

On Thursday, October 9, at approximately 7 pm Detectives from the Columbia County Multi-jurisdictional Task Force served a search warrant at 1839 SW Wilson Springs Road in Fort White which yielded 3 arrests and seizure of a large number of marijuana plants.

Earlier that day, the Task Force received information about an indoor marijuana grow at the Fort White home. Task Force detectives initiated an investigation and developed probable cause to obtain a search warrant for the residence. The search warrant was served without incident and 73 marijuana plants were located in an out building which had been converted to be used to grow marijuana. Three suspects were arrested and two vehicles were seized.

Arrested were Eduardo Leiva, 74 of Fort White, Alberto Broche, 45 of Tampa, and Mario Treto-Canepa, 50 of Tampa. All were booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility with each being charged with cultivation of marijuana $20,000 bond, possession of marijuana (more than 20 grams) $10,000 bond, and possession drug paraphernalia $1,000 bond.

The Drug Task force is comprised of law enforcement personnel from Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Lake City Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).