According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 7:47 p.m. Sunday night, 25-year-old Yasiel Martinez of Tampa was operating a 2007 Chevy Tahoe in the boat ramp parking lot at 8601 West Courtney Campbell Causeway. Martinez hit the rear of an occupied deputy’s vehicle and he was showing signs of being under the influence of alcohol.
DUI deputies responded to the scene to conduct an investigation. Martinez provided BAC readings of .143/.144. Martinez was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence.
Undercover deputies and aviation discovered marijuana growing in the mangroves just north of the Courtney Campbell Causeway boat ramp. While the deputies were confiscating the marijuana, Martinez backed into one of the deputies vehicles.
A total of 68 mature marijuana plants were uprooted and seized. A total weight of approximately 77 lbs with a street value of approximately $114,500.
The investigation continues.
