FLORIDA — Last Thursday, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) responded to Jungle Hut Park in reference to a call of marijuana washing up on the beach. In the past two days, packages of marijuana have been washing up on the beaches in St. Johns, Flagler and Volusia counties.
The caller stated that she could see multiple packages, presumably containing marijuana, washing up on the beach and that the suspect, Robert Kelley, was seen attempting to open the packaging and take packages of marijuana. Others were attempting to do the same thing.
When FCSO arrived on the scene, the caller identified Robert Kelley to deputies. While on scene, Kelley did not attempt to approach FCSO and alert them that he had found suspected narcotics. After speaking with the caller, deputies made contact with Kelley and asked if he took some of the suspected marijuana. Robert pointed at his vehicle and stated that he was holding it for law enforcement’s arrival. When Kelley was asked why he had not alerted law enforcement immediately, he stated he did not alert FCSO because he did not know if the Sheriff’s Office was going to come or not.
FCSO conducted a probable cause search of Kelley’s vehicle and located a “brick” of suspected marijuana in his trunk. The “brick” was wrapped in plastic and contained approximately 11 pounds (wet weight) of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Kelley had attempted to conceal it by wrapping it in a brown beach towel.
The suspected narcotics tested positive for Marijuana. FCSO has recovered approximately 100 pounds of marijuana that has washed up on Flagler’s beaches in the past two days.
