PALM COAST, Fla. – What began as a raid on a suspected drug house turned up more than just drugs and guns.
When the Flagler County SWAT team raided the Palm Coast home of Andrew Bouvier, 51, they said two homemade explosive devices, 28 pounds of packaged marijuana and marijuana products, three guns, and a little more than $1,100 in cash were found.
However, the suspected explosives were something deputies didn’t expect to find.
In an abundance of caution, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad was called in to assist with taking possession of the devices and then handing them over to ATF agents.
Bouvier was charged with trafficking large amounts of marijuana with intent to sell.
Now, there is also a separate investigation involving the explosive devices that were discovered inside Bouvier’s home, which means he is facing additional charges. Still, it’s unclear if the pending charges will be state charges filed by the State Attorney’s office, or federal charges filed by the U.S. Attorney since ATF was called to help with the investigation.
The discovery of explosive devices during a drug raid is something that does not happen too often, but it has occurred in the past.
Back in April, a Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy was injured when a pipe bomb exploded during a traffic stop of a suspected methamphetamine trafficker. In that case, Charles Legault, 60, of Crescent City is the suspect. He is still in jail without bond awaiting trial.
In 2019, when DEA agents raided the home of Thomas Renckley, they discovered a grenade, firearms, and a list of illegal drugs. The JSO bomb unit was called in and later determined the grenade was hallowed out, meaning it was not a threat.
As for the drug investigation against Bouvier, Flagler County detectives said that Bouvier stated he was in contact with Jamaicans in South Daytona where he would purchase 10 to pounds of marijuana at a time. He also told detectives he was unemployed but made money by selling marijuana and that he wanted to roll and package marijuana for disabled veterans.
Investigators said a judge signed off on the warrant to raid Bouvier’s home after an undercover deputy purchased drugs from Bouvier during what’s known as a “controlled buy,” or a monitored purchase of illegal drugs.
Following Bouvier’s arrest, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly issued the following statement:
“Another drug dealer found out the hard way that we won’t let you get away with selling illegal drugs in Flagler County,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Our SIU team did an excellent job putting together this case and our SWAT team safely served the search warrant. If you are a poison peddler in Flagler County, we’re coming for you next, so I suggest you take your drug dealing business elsewhere before we shut it down and take you to the Green Roof Inn.”
“I would also like to thank the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance after detectives encountered possible explosive devices at the scene. They quickly responded and rendered the devices safe,” Sheriff Staly added. “We will always act with an abundance of caution in order to keep our team and our community safe.”
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly
Finally, before leaving Bouvier’s home, deputies placed a sign on the front lawn that read, “This drug house is closed for business.”