PICS + VIDEO:

PICS + VIDEO:
New Watch It! (Or Not) Slideshow

°

Homepage / Orlando News
Text Size

'Minister Of Marijuana' Goes Before Judge

POSTED: Thursday, May 8, 2008
UPDATED: 1:06 pm EDT May 8,2008

The self-proclaimed minister of a fellowship that promotes marijuana use as a religious sacrament will go to court on Thursday after a raid on his home netted over 100 cannabis plants in an elaborate grow house operation.

Steven Swallick, 56, of Palm Bay, was charged with cultivation of marijuana and was being held on a $12,000 bond at the Brevard County Jail.

Palm Bay police said Swallick operated a makeshift church by the name of Hawaiian Cannabis Ministries out of his home.

Palm Bay police said they began watching Swallick about two months ago and filed for a search warrant before carrying out the 3:30 p.m. raid on his northeast home.

Inside, police officers said they found more than 100 marijuana plants along with reconfigured electrical wiring, lighting, irrigation and climate control devices to nurture the illegal crop.

"It was a pretty sophisticated operation," said Agent Clifton Graves in a statement. "This grow house easily netted approximately $100,000 per month."

Police did not elaborate on the ministry, but several Web sites offer special kits and certificates to those interested in incorporating marijuana as a religious sacrament akin to the unleavened bread and wine used as communion in Christian services.

Officers said more arrests may be made in the case.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
Text Size

Sponsored Links

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Feeling bloated or uncomfortable after eating? Try these five recipes and find out why they are so good for digestion. More

Find out what a sputtering economy and an increasingly difficult to crack job market means to you. More

Embellish an empty abode with these easy, inexpensive projects and make your home feel more like home. More

Check out some of the most notorious police car chase scenes ever caught on tape. Don’t try this at home. More

Most Popular