Police Bust Pot Growing Operation Inside Florida Coffee Roastery

Christopher Brown

The owner of a Florida coffee roastery was arrested Tuesday after police in Port Orange found nearly 60 marijuana plant stems, nine marijuana plants at various stages of growth and numerous growing supplies in a locked room of the Christopher Bean Coffee & Tea Co.

Owner Christopher Brown has been charged with cultivating marijuana and with possession of more than 20 grams. Police were notified of the alleged growing operation after an employee of the coffee roastery noticed a light on in a room that he had previously not noticed in the warehouse roastery, according to an affidavit supporting the charges.

Brown founded the Daytona Beach-area coffee company in 1998, primarily providing coffee service to hotels and restaurants. Christopher Bean also provides office coffee service, including coffees from other roasters such as Starbucks and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. Police also identified Brown as the owner of East Coast Roasters Coffee, which was registered by Brown as an LLC in 2010 at the same address as Christopher Bean Coffee Co.