Man arrested on drug charges

July 25, 2010 12:35 am

BY PORTSIA SMITH

Caroline County authorities arrested a Dominican man and seized nearly $381,000 worth of marijuana while executing a search warrant at a home on Friday.

Caroline sheriff's deputies searched a home at 207 Tranquility Drive in the Lake Caroline subdivision in Ruther Glen and found an indoor marijuana operation, Sheriff Tony Lippa said yesterday.

Caroline narcotics investigators seized 127 marijuana plants, several containers of marijuana, various marijuana cultivating items and a handgun, Lippa said.

Lippa also said two children, ages 1 and 2, were living in the house.

Heriberto Pena, 24, a resident of the Dominican Republic, is charged with manufacturing marijuana, possessing a firearm while in possession of more than 5 pounds of marijuana, and two counts of child endangerment. Pena and his family were using the home as their primary residence, Lippa said.

Pena, who was already scheduled for a deportation hearing in federal court later this year, is being held in the Pamunkey Regional Jail with no bond, Lippa said.

"Operations such as these are possible due to the actions of concerned citizens who continue to provide information about illegal activity," Lippa said.

Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
Email: psmith@fredericksburg.com