State Police say they’ve disrupted a marijuana grow operation in Schuylkill County run by a man who refers to himself as Hood Reefa on social media.
Court documents show that on July 23, State Police through a tip provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), learned of a marijuana grow operation at 117 Schuylkill Ave. in Tamaqua.
A search warrant for the home was obtained by State Police on Aug. 27 and served on that home the following morning.
Police say that while they were conducting pre-surveillance on the residence, they noticed their suspect, Jose Aponte, 28, outside working on a Toyota. As they approached Aponte and identified themselves, police say Aponte told them that there is only one plant inside his home.
While being questioned by police, Aponte reportedly said there were three marijuana plants in his back yard, one large plant and two small ones. He said they were all male plants.
Aponte also reportedly said there was a female plant with buds on it hanging and drying in his kitchen.
During the interview, Aponte allegedly said he’s got two Facebook accounts, one for himself and another for his nickname or brand name, Hood Reefa. Police searched for the accounts and Aponte allegedly admitted they were his.
More Troopers and the Schuylkill County Detectives Office were summoned to the scene to help with the search of Aponte’s residence, where he, his girlfriend, and their child live.
In the search, police say they seized six plants in the back yard they suspect are marijuana and another in the bedroom. Police also seized one Backwoods branded package that contained marijuana.
On Wednesday, police filed charges of possession with intent to deliver, a felony, and a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession for personal use against Aponte. Aponte was arraigned Thursday afternoon before Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer and released on $25,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23.
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