Orlando Sentinel
posted by Walter Pacheco
May 8, 2008 8:22:55 AM
Palm Bay police arrest 'minister' of marijuana ministry
Officers on Wednesday arrested the self-proclaimed minister of the Hawaiian Cannabis Ministries in Palm Bay after discovering more than 100 marijuana plants and sophisticated growing equipment inside the home that served as the ministry's "church," police said.
Steven Swallick, 52, faces charges of cultivation of marijuana, Palm Bay police records show.
Swallick was busted after a two-month probe into his organization that operated out of 1065 Hulda Street NE. Yvonne Martinez of the Palm Bay Police Department said additional arrests are expected as detectives continue their investigation.
SWAT Team members and officers with the Crime Suppression Unit found more than
100 marijuana plants - which sell for about $1,000 - and equipment used to grow the illegal drugs such as lighting, irrigation tools, fertilizers and electrical wiring for climate control. The garage housed most of the growing operation.Detectives estimate that Swallick generated more than $100,000 a month from the sale and cultivation of the marijuana plants.
The Florida Division of Corporations does not show any records for the Hawaiian Cannabis Ministry. It is unclear if Swallick's alleged ministry is related to the Hawaii Cannabis Ministry, which operates out of Hawaii. That organization claims that it's members must smoke marijuana to practice their religion.
The Hawaii Supreme Court in 2007 ruled against a member of the ministry who had been arrested for possessing of drug paraphernalia. Judges said freedom of religion did not give him the right to smoke marijuana.
Diigo
