237 Pounds of Pot Seized in Bust

A 60-year-old Tampa man faces a host of criminal charges after Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant on his home Monday evening.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies paid a visit to 15901 Timberwood Drive in northwest Hillsborough County around 8 p.m. When they entered the home, they found an extensive marijuana growing operation, an email to media from the agency stated.

All told, deputies seized 237 pounds of marijuana and a 2007 Suzuki SUV. The street value of the marijuana is estimated at $240,000.

Ramon Gregorio Soto Machado was arrested on charges including owning, leasing or renting for the purpose of trafficking, possession of listed chemical with intent, trafficking in marijuana, manufacture of marijuana, grand theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Machado was being held in the Hillsborough County Jail Tuesday without bond, jail records indicate.

Photos courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office