WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. — A two-month investigation into a marijuana operation in West Melbourne led to the arrest of two people, investigators said.
Residents on Chica Circle said they never noticed anything out of the ordinary at the home until police began removing 128 marijuana plants on Wednesday.
“There were plants, like five feet tall, out there, and they had them all pulled out, then I knew what was going on,” said resident Bob Heinig.
Police said they seized more than 100 plants and four pounds of loose marijuana, and that the the suspects surrendered some exotic pets, including a kinkajou.
West Melbourne police said the arrests of Martin Bonilla, 22, and Skyla Kaiser, 21, were the culmination of a two-month-long investigation.
All of the animals were legally permitted.
“This all came from an anonymous citizen who thought something didn’t look right and called us,” said Cpt. Richard Cordeau.
Bonilla and Kaiser face charges of trafficking marijuana.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers said they have found a new home for the kinkajou.