Local News

Reward approved for tip that led to pot stash house bust

Pallavi Agarwal | Highlands Today
Published: February 6, 2013

SEBRING - The Heartland Crime Stoppers Board of Directors has approved a reward for a tip that came to Crime Stoppers and led authorities to what they describe as a marijuana stash house from where more than 68 pounds of pot was seized and one person arrested.

Highlands County Sheriff's Office's Special Investigations Unit raided the home, 125 Palm Beach St. in Lake Placid, Dec. 11, seizing the marijuana along with other paraphernalia, said sheriff's spokeswoman Nell Hays. A marijuana stash house is a drying operation.

Home resident, Irelio Carmona, 59, who was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, trafficking in marijuana in excess of 25 pounds but less than 300 pounds, producing marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia remains in Highlands County Jail on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold even a $52,500 bond has been set, Hays added.

"ICE places a hold on those individuals who they believe to be in the county illegally and fit any number of criteria they have for possible deportation," explained Major David Paeplow. "Upon completion of their criminal case and all obligations, ICE is notified and they have 48 hours on the 'hold' to take the person into their custody."

Crime Stoppers Executive Director Chip Brown said in an email that his board approved the reward along with other cases at its board meeting Jan. 28.

Because Crime Stoppers guarantee their tipsters anonymity, he said he couldn't reveal the reward amount or when the tip was received.

At the board meeting Jan. 28, the Crime Stoppers board approved $8,135 in rewards for six tips – five from Polk County and the one from Lake Placid.

Last year, Heartland Crime Stoppers approved $3,150 in rewards for Highlands County tips, Brown said.

"That money was paid out to 20 tipsters," he added. Property was recovered valued at $350, he added, and seized drugs/narcotics were valued at $68,158.

"We are happy to play a part in helping the community to solve crime," he added. "It is, indeed, a community effort which involves the citizens, law enforcement, and the media."

Crime Stoppers tips cane be submitted in three ways: By calling 1-800-226-TIPS (8477); at ww.heartlandcrimestoppers.com; or texting "TIP196," plus the tip information, to "CRIMES" (274637).

Hays said a Crime Stopper tip is one of the ways the sheriff's office is alerted to possible criminal activity except that a Crime Stopper tipster might be eligible for a cash reward.

"I encourage people to call Crime Stoppers," she said. "We get the tips in a timely manner."