[420 Girl]

An Islamorada businessman charged with marijuana distribution in February was arrested on a new felony count Wednesday as part of a narcotics sweep dubbed "Operation Reindeer."

Steven R. Andrews, 57, remained in Monroe County Detention Center at press time after his bond from the February charges was revoked.

About four pounds of marijuana was seized Wednesday from Andrews' canalfront home on Lower Matecumbe Key's Nautilus Drive, along with $6,300 in cash "believed to be proceeds from drug sales," according to a Monroe County Sheriff's Office account of the raid that involved local and federal officers.

More than two pounds of marijuana were found "on a hidden shelf next to the toilet in the master bathroom" at the Andrews home, said Becky Herrin, sheriff's information officer.

More than 30 plastic bags containing smaller amounts of marijunana apparently packaged for sale were collected from various locations, she said.

Also confiscated were three scales, "miscellaneous bongs," a Taser and a pair of night-vision goggles.

Andrews is a former operator of the movie-theater complex at the Tavernier Towne plaza, and was affiliated with a family-owned jewelry store near mile marker 82.6 on Upper Matecumbe Key.

He already faced a felony count of intent to distribute marijuana after his car was stopped at 11 p.m. Feb. 15 on Plantation Key.

Assisted by a drug-sniffing dog, deputies reported finding a bag with 10 ounces of marijuana separated into "small plastic bags packaged for sale," according to the February arrest report. Also in the bag was $4,190 in cash. Andrews was carrying another $1,290 cash in his wallet.

Andrews entered a not-guilty plea in that February case, which is still working its way through the legal system.

Operation Reindeer also resulted in the arrest of six other people in local searches ranging from Key Largo to Sugarloaf Key.


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