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Arraignments set after vape cartridges, marijuana, nearly $1M found in Milwaukee home
Arraignments set after vape cartridges, marijuana, nearly $1M found in Milwaukee home
Amanda Ware
MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee man and woman allegedly caught with nearly $1 million in cash and nearly 20 pounds of marijuana in their home were in court Monday, Oct. 14 for their preliminary hearings, which they waived. These offenses were just the tip of the iceberg, according to prosecutors.
Amanda Ware, 30, and Govanny Molina, 34 face the following criminal counts:
They appeared in court Monday for the first time since posting $25,000 cash bond each on Oct. 10. Arraignments were scheduled for Oct. 30.
Amanda Ware, Govanny Molina
Govanny Molina
Neighbors told FOX6 News five of them tipped off police that Ware and Molina were dealing drugs.
After that tip, law enforcement monitored the Norwich Court residence, as well as the actions of Molina and Ware on the days leading up to the execution of the search warrant. They saw both Molina and Ware "coming and going from the residence. On one of the surveillance dates, law enforcement observed Molina with a large bulge in his right front pants pocket. Based on the shape of this object, law enforcement believed the object was a firearm."
According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the home around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Search warrant executed at residence on W. Norwich Court, Milwaukee
"I just heard a loudspeaker and I assumed it was from the park or squads or someone is going down 50th," said one neighbor.
Molina was located inside the residence -- and he was immediately taken into custody. After the warrant was executed, Ware showed up at the residence -- and she was then taken into custody.
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During the execution of the search warrant on Oct. 1, officers "noted the distinct smell of marijuana." They found the following at different parts inside the house:
Search warrant executed at residence on W. Norwich Court, Milwaukee
The criminal complaint indicated the total weight of the marijuana inside the residence was approximately 962.60 grams, or just over two pounds.
The total weight of the marijuana inside the garage was approximately 7,669.5 grams.
The total weight of the non-vape cartridge marijuana was 8,632 grams, just under 18 pounds (excluding the vape cartridges).
The quantity of marijuana when the vape cartridges are considered was well over 10,000 grams.
"We have juveniles involved with this -- from the bright-colored packaging and candy-flavored cartridges, said Capt. Cassandra Libal of the Milwaukee Police Department. "That is directly related to our youth."
"We're seeing many young people that are being permanently damaged from vaping, said Jeanette Kowalik, Milwaukee health commissioner. "It's causing chemical-related injuries."