Two more men arrested in connection with Palm Harbor grow operation

PALM HARBOR - Two men connected to a recently busted large marijuana grow house operation turned themselves into the Pinellas County Jail.

The men, 51-year-old Stephen E. Sweetwood of Seminole (left) and 46-year-old Jeffrey McCubbins of Hudson, were involved in the warehouse operation near a shopping plaza on U.S. 19.

Officials seized 451 plants of various sizes - 222 pounds of marijuana total - and $146,020 in cash when they busted the operation March 9.

Sweetwood, who the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office say has been cooperating since the original search warrant, surrendered Thursday and was arrested on a charge of manufacturing marijuana.

He also turned over $159,000 in cash, grow equipment and information that led to the arrest of Sweetwood, who surrendered March 19.

Sweetwood faces charges of manufacturing marijuana and trafficking marijuana. More arrests could be made as the investigation continues, authorities say.

--Kameel Stanley, Brant James Times staff writers

Comments

[Babyg1rl]

Wow, you sold your friend short for 1/10 the bail, Mr. Sweetwood. Good business sense. With all that cash and stash, why wasn't your bail higher? Are you naming more?

[tnieves2000]

Mr Sweetwood has been busted for the same thing almost 20 years ago...RIDICULOUS....How you goona bust someone for growing a natural plant..You CANNOT keep trying to make something GOD created extinct. It makes me ill to know that humans would rather manufacture pills and alcohol, but refuse to allow people to grow and pull and smoke WEEDS....What is wrong with this picture folks..Good luck Steve..Love you...Tracie

[Scott]

To bad, so sad. Looks like another price hike.