A Jacksonville Westside home that was peppered with bullet holes turned out to be a lot more than a shooting scene. Police say it was also a full-blown stash house, loaded with nearly 70 pounds of marijuana, firearms and thousands of dollars in cash.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, detectives arrested 25-year-old convicted felon Benwah Wilson after responding to reports of multiple shots fired near Wilcox Street and West 5th Street last Wednesday. Officers conducted a protective sweep of a nearby house that showed extensive bullet damage, then took Wilson into custody. He now faces several felony counts, including trafficking in marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
What Detectives Say They Found Inside
As reported by Action News Jax, Narcotics Unit detectives ultimately seized about 68.68 pounds of marijuana from the Westside residence. Investigators also recovered a Glock handgun, a rifle and more than $2,000 in cash during their search.
Officers documented multiple bullet holes through interior walls, according to the report. Those gunshots are what first triggered the protective sweep that led to a full search warrant and, eventually, the large marijuana bust.
Part of a Larger Crackdown
Hoodline has tracked several sizable narcotics seizures by JSO’s drug unit in recent months. One Hoodline report on a Panama Park sweep in September 2025 described the seizure of cocaine, oxycodone and firearms as part of a targeted investigation. Local coverage of those efforts has generally suggested these are focused narcotics probes rather than random traffic stops.
Legal Stakes
Under Florida law, possessing more than 25 pounds of cannabis meets the statutory definition of trafficking in cannabis, a first-degree felony that carries a mandatory minimum prison term of three years and a $25,000 fine, per Florida Statutes 893.135. At roughly 68.68 pounds, the amount seized in this case sits well above that trafficking threshold if prosecutors move forward on that basis.
Wilson is also facing counts for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and for knowingly renting a structure for the sale of narcotics. Those additional charges could significantly increase his exposure if he is convicted.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, anyone with information related to the case is asked to call the Crime Tips line at 904-630-0500 or email [email protected]. The investigation is still active while prosecutors review the evidence and potential charges.
