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Cape man accused in grow house operation

2 min read

Cape Coral police busted an alleged marijuana grow operation this week, resulting in one arrest and the seizure of drugs and drug equipment.

Nicholas Daniel Clemens, 24, of 338 S.W. 21st Terrace, was arrested and charged Tuesday with one count each of marijuana producing and marijuana possession over 20 grams, according to records from the Lee County Jail.

He also faces five counts of drug equipment possession and or use.

As of Friday, Clemens remained in custody at the jail on $130,000 bond.

Cape detectives executed a search warrant Tuesday at 338 S.W. 21st Terrace, according to a report. Minutes before, Clemens was seen leaving the home and was detained. Police escorted him back to the residence.

Inside, the home was outfitted for a marijuana cultivation operation.

Detectives discovered nine buckets with root systems inside them in one bedroom and another nine buckets with root systems in another room, the report states. The total weight of the systems was more than 3 pounds.

Three bags containing marijuana “clippings” were reportedly found in the laundry room, which weighed almost 20 pounds. Officers say they collected four bags of suspected marijuana as well, which weighed nearly 40 grams.

Police noted that the clippings tested positive for THC in a field test.

Detectives also located power ballasts, indoor plant grow bulbs, fertilizer, plant-growing chemicals, a digital scale and grinder, baggies, a glass pipe and paraphernalia, and a Winchester rifle in the home, according to the report.

LCEC responded to the residence and confirmed that the electricity was illegally being diverted above the meter. Inside, an air conditioner installed in one of the closets was feeding two bedrooms and draining into a bathtub.

Multiple pictures of Clemens and a woman were observed inside of the residence, as well as a warning ticket that the Cape police had issued him.

Clemens declined to provide officers with a statement on scene.

He was into custody and transported to the jail.

Clemens has a court appearance scheduled for Sept. 4.