A Fruitland Park man was arrested on drug charges after officers found paraphernalia and narcotics scattered throughout his vehicle.
An officer observed the driver of a red Saturn SUV, later identified as 34-year-old Levy Allen Greco, towing a trailer traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 27/441 around 8:20 p.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department. The tag was loosely attached, as one corner of the plate appeared to be the only side attached to the vehicle.
The officer began to maneuver his patrol vehicle behind the SUV and trailer, which took a sudden right turn into the Sunoco gas station, located at 2380 U.S. Hwy. 441. Greco immediately got out before the officer pulled into the parking lot. A check of the SUV tag returned as replaced to a trailer belonging to a person in Polk County, the report said.
Therefore, the officer decided to wait until the vehicle was back on the road to conduct a traffic stop. As he did so, he observed a woman appearing to argue with Greco. They went into the store and made several trips around the vehicle to the garbage can when they came back out, continuing to look at the officer and make gestures in his direction, the report said.
The SUV eventually left the parking lot and headed westbound on Spring Lake Road. The officer asked another unit to conduct a traffic stop since he was able to catch up quicker. Once stopped, the officer approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and explained the reason for it to Greco and the female passenger, the report said.
Greco advised that he did not have a license when the officer asked for one. The passenger became extremely hostile with law enforcement and argued with the other officer. Both individuals looked nervous, as seen by shaky hands, profuse sweating and aimlessly reaching around the vehicle, the report said.
Based on these behaviors, the officer asked for consent to search the vehicle. Greco granted consent while the passenger denied it, telling him not to grant it. The officer instead returned to his vehicle to behind a written warning, the report said.
Meanwhile, another officer advised that the passenger pulled out a green leafy substance in a white container which she stated was marijuana that was not properly packaged. She also admitted to not having a medical marijuana card. She and Greco were subsequently asked to step out of the vehicle, the report said.
A probable cause search of the vehicle led to the discovery of about one gram of a white powdery substance on the shifter and within the coin pocket and cup holder next to it. This appeared to be freshly placed due to the powder looking undisturbed, as it would have wiped off the shifter when placed into drive. The powder tested positive for methamphetamine, the report said.
The officers continued their search, finding several pens with residue or burnt ends scattered throughout the vehicle, including inside the center console and on the driver side floorboard. There was a clear glass smoking device with residue inside of a vape box on the passenger side floorboard and a yellow glass smoking device in a clear plastic container within the passenger’s purse. They also found a bag containing paraphernalia like push sticks and makeshift smoking devices, the report said.
The center console compartment was loose and appeared tampered with. Upon removing it, multiple pieces of burnt foil and plastic baggies along with a scale containing residue were found. There was also a smoking device with a yellow wax-like substance that tested positive for THC. In the center dash compartment, a cartridge matching the one found underneath the center console was located, the report said.
Greco and the passenger were read their rights and separated to be spoken with individually. Greco advised that any foil and pens belonged to him. The powder on the shifter was a dietary supplement, and anything marijuana related belonged to the passenger, the report said.
When told that the powder tested positive for methamphetamine, Greco stated it was not his because he did not do that, only fentanyl. The vehicle was in his name, and he later stated he knew he did not have a license. The passenger’s father gave him a tag to put on that he knew did not come back as registered to the vehicle, the report said.
The passenger advised that upon seeing law enforcement, Greco threw items at her and asked her to take the charge for him. The only items belonging to her were the yellow pipe and marijuana container, the report said.
A check of Greco’s license revealed that it had been suspended since Oct. 1, 2012, for a failure to pay court financial obligation that repeated eight more times through May 20, 2024. His driving history showed two prior guilty convictions for driving while license suspended with knowledge from July 2013 and Jan. 2019. He also did not have insurance for the vehicle, the report said.
Greco was later given a chance to admit if he had any contraband on his person. He then admitted to having a plastic baggie with residue in his jean pants coin pocket. The officer located a “bindle” with a white powdery residue similar to what was found on the shifter. It tested positive for methamphetamine, the report said.
Greco was ultimately arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC concentrate, three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license suspended with knowledge (second or subsequent offense) and operating a vehicle with no motor vehicle registration. He was transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $13,000.
He was also caught with drugs in his rectum during intake at the jail in Dec. 2023.