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Search for missing teen turns into unexpected pot bust at NFM home

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NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A search for a missing teen at a North Fort Myers home ended in surprise for one detective and serious drug charges for an 18 year-old. 

According to an arrest report from the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Joseph Licini, was speaking to a detective about his sister's friend; the friend was reported missing at the time. While speaking to Licini the detective reported seeing and smelling marijuana.

The arrest report states Licini gave the detective permission to search the home for his sister and her friend. According to LCSO, it was then the detective spotted several "marijuana pipes, raw marijuana and a strong odor coming from a hallway where his parents' bedroom was."

After obtaining a search warrants, detectives seized 787 grams of marijuana, 47 baggies, digital scales, drug paraphernalia, a small plant that was growing in the backyard and nearly $3,800 in cash. 

"It's kind of surprising I know people do that kind of stuff, but to find that amount of marijuana is kind of surprising," said Gustavo Santos, neighbor. 

He says he understands teenagers sometimes do things they regret, but says this feels different. 

"People make mistakes, however when there's drugs involved it changes everything," said Santos.