TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online

TBO > News

Woman's Pot Charges Follow Husband's Arrest

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Mug shots of Richard and Mary Cackling.

By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 17, 2008

Updated: 03/17/2008 05:33 pm

Related Links

Four days after her husband was charged with having 138 marijuana plants and 15 pounds of harvested marijuana, a Gibsonton woman was arrested this morning for her role in the grow operation, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Mary Cackling, 50, of 7018 Nundy Ave., was arrested by deputies on a warrant this morning at 10:45, according to jail records. She was charged with trafficking in cannabis, 25 to 2,000 pounds, manufacture of cannabis and possession of cannabis with intent to sell — all felonies, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

She is being held without bail at Orient Road Jail.

Her husband, Richard Cackling, 41, was arrested on Thursday and charged with trafficking in 30 to 2,000 plants, manufacture of cannabis, possession with intent to distribute — all felonies and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to jail records.

Deputies acting on a tip found the plants — including some the couple had taken outside to get some sunshine, sheriff's spokesman J.D. Callaway said.

"They were serious about their operation," he said.

The couple said the marijuana was for personal use, Callaway said.

"They denied any trafficking," he said.

Mary Cackling was arrested four days after her husband because deputies had to develop more information, Callaway said.

Stay with TBO.com for updates.

Editor Howard Altman can be reached at (813) 259-7629 or haltman@tampatrib.com

Share this: