TAMPA, Fla. — Surrounded by supporters, family, and members of the community, smoke shop owner Dannie Jones turned himself in on Tuesday, adamantly maintaining his innocence in connection with a police raid last month.
“You can see I have a lot of family, friends, the community, employees — they’re all standing behind me,” Jones said. “I haven’t done anything wrong to be accused of something like this. It’s ridiculous.”
Jones’ legal troubles began on April 15, when the Tampa Police Department executed a search warrant at his business, Smokey Jones Smoke Shop, seizing what the owner claims was over $200,000 worth of hemp-based products.
“This is one of the first times I know of in Hillsborough County — and in the state of Florida — where one of these businesses was raided by police rather than inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture,” Jones’ attorney stated during a press appearance.
According to Florida law, hemp-derived products must contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. Jones insists his shop was compliant and that all the seized products met state legal standards.
“Smokey Jones had the proper paperwork, which the Tampa Police Department chose to ignore,” said Jones’s attorney. “All of these products tested under the legal limit of Delta-9 THC.”
However, an affidavit provided by the Tampa Police Department tells a different story. The document outlines an undercover operation in which an officer and a confidential source allegedly purchased illegal cannabis products from the shop on two separate occasions. According to police, lab tests revealed some products contained THC concentrations of 0.4% or higher, placing them above the legal threshold.
During the raid, police say they confiscated:
Approximately 31.1 pounds of cannabis flower
1,285 grams of illegal psychedelic mushrooms
Various THC edibles, vape cartridges, and pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes
Nearly $6,000 in cash
Jones now faces three felony charges:
Importation of an unauthorized controlled substance
Possession of cannabis with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver
Maintaining a public nuisance structure for drug activity
Despite the serious charges, Jones and his legal team are prepared to fight back.
“The hemp farms he purchased from were legal operations, licensed brokers in other states,” said his attorney. “That’s why we’re here today — because he’s facing what amounts to a first-degree felony, despite operating within what he believed were legal parameters.”
Jones’ attorney also announced that legal action will be taken against the city, indicating plans to file a lawsuit over the raid and seizure of property.
