One of the largest synthetic marijuana busts in Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office history unraveled an elaborate manufacturing and distribution operation in East Hillsborough County.
Approximately 525 pounds of the synthetic marijuana, which has a street value of more than $500,000 was captured
and Donya Hussein,45, and Roger Wakim, 40, were arrested for Trafficking in Synthetic Cannabinoids Over 30
Kilograms and Owning, Renting or Leasing Property for the Purpose of Drug Trafficking, according to HCSO.
In April, detectives from HCSO Special Investigation Division received a tip that a massive amount of synthetic marijuana aka “Spice” was being manufactured and distributed out of a residence in Valrico at 3216 Little Road, according to HCSO.
The investigation came to a spicy end on May 15 and May 16 when detectives executed three court-authorized search warrants. Assisted by the United States Department of Homeland Security, they searched three locations: the Valrico residence, a Plant City residence at 4801 Calhoun Road and a storage unit at 2108 Jelane Drive, Valrico.
Nearly nine pounds of the drug was found at the storage
unit, but HCSO said the Valrico residence held approximately 525 pounds of the synthetic marijuana in various forms and stages of manufacture. There was also an abundance of drug paraphernalia that was used to package, manufacture and distribute the spice.
The report said Hussein’s Plant City residence had records and documentation related to the drug operation and a small amount of synthetic marijuana. Wakim resides in Brandon, according to the arrest report.
Hussein and Wakim were arrested on May 15 at approximately 6:35 p.m. and have since bonded out. Wakim was previously arrested in March of 2017 and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent, according to the report.