An O’Brien man was charged with multiple drug charges following a reported structure fire which resulted in a search warrant that revealed items used in a marijuana grow house, according to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office. 

According to a SCSO report, on Friday, July 25, at approximately 6 a.m., the Suwannee County Drug Task Force conducted a drug investigation at the residence of Richard Ryan Root, 38, 15527 194th Place, O’Brien, and served a search warrant on the property. 

Prior to this date, Suwannee County Fire Rescue reportedly responded to this residence in reference to a fire on an outbuilding belonging to Root. The state fire marshal’s office responded to the scene and observed several items within the shed that were consistent with an active marijuana grow operation. A deputy was then dispatched to the scene and was told by the fire marshal that he had received consent to search by Root. In the search, ballasts, grow lights, and marijuana root ball material were located within the shed.

Root then reportedly told the fire marshal to leave. He did as requested, but later returned with a warrant to search for the origin of the fire. Much of the items that were previously found were reportedly removed. The marshal stated that he looked in the bed of Root’s truck and saw burnt material consistent with the material inside the shed. The marshal advised the deputy that Root had removed these items while he was obtaining a warrant. 

The report stated Root placed the discarded items on a trailer and placed the trailer into an adjacent wooded area. Agents discovered multiple grow lights, a CO2 filter and blower fans. This evidence was removed from the scene in an effort to conceal the crime, according to reports. 

While serving the search warrant, the deputy observed at least 30 different root balls with suspected marijuana stems growing from them. He then located ballasts, hoods for grow lights and blowers inside the shed. He also located water tubing encased in plastic consistent with a hydroponic grow. 

Root was transported to the Suwannee County Jail. He was charged with possession of a marijuana grow house, cultivation of marijuana, tampering with evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia.