After Kid's School Backpack Reeks of Pot, Parents Arrested

11-year-old tells police his dad used his backpack to transport marijuana
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 23, 2017 10:49 AM CDT
Kid's Stinky Backpack Results in Parents' Pot Arrest
Rolando Naranjo and Betsy Espinoza   (Miami-Dade Corrections)

A student's backpack that smelled like marijuana led police in Florida to his house, where they found a small grow house run by his parents, per the AP. Now, 41-year-old Rolando Naranjo and Betsy Espinoza (said to be 32 or 33) are in jail, charged with multiple drug and child neglect charges. The Miami Herald reports that a Palm Springs Middle School teacher noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the 11-year-old boy's backpack and notified a Miami-Dade Schools police officer.

A police report says the boy told officers of marijuana plants in his house and said his dad uses his backpack to transport the drug, which is what caused the odor. He also said people regularly show up at his house to buy marijuana. Police got a search warrant, and Hialeah Sgt. Carl Zogby called conditions at the home "deplorable." Also there with the student's parents was his 4-year-old brother. (More marijuana stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X