BRISTOL — The arrest in Bristol two weeks ago of an East Wareham, Mass. resident has led to the arrests of two Bristol men who were allegedly growing marijuana in their Perry Street residence. All three men were allegedly attempting to earn thousands of dollars by selling pounds of the home-grown drug in Bristol.
Nicholas V. Munkenbeck, 26, and Jeffrey D. Mahmood, 24, both of 64 Perry St., were arrested at their residence on Thursday, April 24 and face felony charges of manufacturing, possessing or delivering one to five kilograms of marijuana and with controlled substance conspiracy. Mr. Mahmood was also charged with possession of psillosybis mushrooms, a felony.
Both men are being held at the ACI in Cranston, pending their first Superior Court appearance scheduled for July 3.
The three arrests, including that of the 21-year-old East Wareham man, happened after 1 p.m. on April 24. The 21-year-old, Nicholas Mullins, was pulled over at the corner of Wood Street and Bay View Avenue for reportedly driving through the intersection of Franklin and Wood streets without stopping at the sign. Mr. Mullins reportedly was "shaking nervously" and stuttering as he handed over his license. Reports say his eyes were red and glossy and his pupils were dilated.
Officers reportedly found "blue pills believed to be Percocets" in Mr. Mullins' left rear pocket and a pound of marijuana worth approximately $3,000 in his back seat.
Mr. Mullins was charged with three felonies: Manufacturing, possessing or attempting to deliver Percocets, manufacturing, possessing or delivering marijuana, and distributing controlled substances near a school.
Mr. Mullins was released on bail and also awaits a Superior Court trial scheduled for July 3.
Mr. Mullins tips police
Lt. Gonsalves said Mr. Mullins cooperated after his arrest and led police to 64 Perry St., where he had intended to deliver the pound of marijuana to Mr. Mahmood and Mr. Munkenbeck for $3,000.
When officers approached the front door of 64 Perry St., reports say, they smelled a strong burnt marijuana odor.
"Jeffrey Mahmood opened the door and a cloud of smoke exited the apartment, smelling strongly of burning marijuana ... I observed a clear plastic bag containing a green vegetative substance suspected to be marijuana on the coffee table," reported Bristol patrolman Steven St. Pierre.
Ptlm. St. Pierre reported Mr. Mahmood then agreed to lead officers to the second floor, where the marijuana smell was as bad as it was on the first. Mr. Mahmood then reportedly gave police a clear plastic bag containing psillosybis mushrooms from a refrigerator in his bedroom. Mr. Mahmood was then handcuffed, reports say, and officers entered Mr. Munkenbeck's adjacent bedroom, which had a strong marijuana odor.
Ptlm. St. Pierre reported noticing a "makeshift closet" in the corner of the room with a ventilation fan protruding from the wall.
"This set up was immediately recognizable to me based on my experience and training as a homemade 'marijuana grow room.' I then observed several marijuana plants were growing in five-gallon buckets inside the makeshift closet," Ptlm. St. Pierre reported.
After further investigation, officers reportedly found marijuana grow lighting and ventilation work.
Mr. Mahmood reportedly told officers he and Mr. Munkenbeck recently started the grow room to become less dependent on suppliers. He reportedly said he had been selling marijuana to Bristol residents and Roger Williams University students, but had made relatively small profits.
By Jeremy Rosen
jrosen@eastbaynewspapers.com