11 Pounds Of Chocolate-Infused Shrooms Lead To Tampa Couple's Arrest

TAMPA, FL — After learning that two people with felony warrants may be in the Tampa area, Tampa police officers began an investigation that led them to 2208 E 15th Ave., where 37-year-old Martin Sequeira and 28-year-old Mary Vargas were living.

On Tuesday, police knocked on the door and Sequeira answered. He was quickly subdued after a brief struggle. A semi-automatic handgun was found sitting next to the front door within Sequeria's reach.

Police said Vargas was sitting on the couch and was detained as well. During a protective sweep of the home pending a search warrant, officers located a large amount of what they suspected was 11 pounds of Psilocybin (shrooms) infused in chocolate.

After getting the court-authorized search warrant, officers confiscated the 9mm semi-automatic handgun with multiple rounds in the magazine along with the shrooms, psilocybin-infused candy bars and an Instagram account associated with the sale of the shrooms.

Due to the large amount of narcotics being stored in the house where Sequeira and Vargas lived, it was declared a public nuisance for drug activity.

"These narcotics are dangerous and have no place in our community," said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "Thanks to the outstanding efforts these officers dedicated to this investigation, the successful apprehension and arrest of two criminals has made our city safer and illegally possessed guns and drugs are now off our streets."

In addition, $11,000 in U.S. currency was seized along with the defendant's vehicle used in multiple offenses.

Sequeira was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer without violence, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with Intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance, keeping a public nuisance structure for drug activity, felony fleeing to elude, driving with a suspended license and out-of-county warrants from Polk County for grand theft, petit theft and conspiracy to commit retail theft), Osceola County warrants on two counts of grand theft, Sarasota County warrants for driving under the influence and property damage while driving without a license, and a warrant out of Georgia for theft by shoplifting.

Vargas was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, keeping a public nuisance structure for drug activity, retail theft from multiple locations and out-of-county warrants from Osceola County for two counts of grand theft, warrants out of Polk County for grand theft, petit theft and conspiracy to commit retail theft and a warrant out of Franklin County, Tennessee, for criminal conspiracy..

They are being held at the Orient Road Jail.