St. Lucie County Sheriff’s investigators searched three businesses, turned up more than 60 pounds of marijuana and made three arrests, according to recently-released affidavits.
The businesses were identified as Three O’s Food Mart in the 600 block of North 25th Street; Friendly Meat & Grocery in the 1700 block of North 17th Street; and Hot Stop Mart in the 1700 block of Avenue D. All are west of U.S. 1 and north of Orange Avenue.
Search warrants were executed at the former two on March 13; the latter on March 16.
The largest amount of suspected pot was discovered from Three O’s Food Mart, where investigators reported finding more than 50 pounds of marijuana in a variety of different forms and containers, such as a suitcase and dozens of “pre-rolled blunts,” affidavits state.
“During this investigation, (an investigator) learned the Three O’s Food Mart is supplying the community with large quantities of marijuana,” an affidavit states.
The pot turned up in “various locations” in the store, including a large suitcase in the walk-in drink cooler. More than $11,000 in cash also was found in a vehicle.
William Said, 31, of Port St. Lucie, told investigators he operates the store, which he said is owned by his father who has little to no involvement in the daily operations, an affidavit states.
“Said Jr. said the marijuana inside the store was hemp and claimed it was from a legal supply company,” the affidavit states.
Said Jr. was jailed on felony charges of trafficking marijuana in excess of 25 pounds, and drug trafficking possess structure or vehicle knowingly trafficking drugs.
At Friendly Meat & Grocery, investigators reported finding at least five pounds of marijuana that tested positive and a .45 caliber handgun. A variety of other suspected THC items that weren’t tested also were found, such as candy, pre-rolled cigarettes and about three dozen drinks.
At Friendly Meat & Grocery, Mohammed Saaida, 35, of Port St. Lucie, was jailed on a felony drug charge and a felony weapons charge.
During the search warrant executed at the address of Hot Stop Mart, investigators found more than two pounds of suspected marijuana along with other items, such as prepackaged THC gummies and vapes.
Investigators noted the pot was behind the register, the presence of “large quantities of custom made bar codes,” and empty resealable packages when alleging the pot “is being sold and disguised as legal ‘THC’ products.”
Mizanur Raman, 34, of Fort Pierce was arrested on a single felony drug charge.
Additional information regarding the cases and investigation was not immediately available on March 19.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.