Riverview Man Busted for Operating Drug House

A Riverview man is facing multiple charges including operating a drug house following his arrest July 7 by Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies.

According to the sheriff's office, deputies developed information that Emory Lawson, 26, of 13210 Prestwick Dr., Riverview, was distributing marijuana. Deputies put Lawson under surveillance and saw him leave his residence in a 1999 Lexus carrying  a green bag. Deputies followed and attempted a traffic stop. 

At that point, Lawson reportedly drove into a yard at 12015 Butler Woods Circle, Riverview, bailed from the car and fled on foot with the green bag. 

Lawson threw the bag, which was located by a K-9. He then hid in a shed on the property, where deputies located him.

Deputies then returned to Lawson's Prestwick Drive address where they encountered Lawson's live-in girlfriend, Amy Ubinas, 23. Ubinas gave deputies permission to search the residence and deputies discovered 50 pounds of marijuana in three duffle bags in their bedroom. 

According to the sheriff's office, the marijuana was packaged for distribution in 62 baggies with a street value of $65,000. Lawson also had $12,497 in cash on him at the time of his arrest.

Lawson has been charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a drug house, burglary of a structure, fleeing and eluding and reckless driving.

Ubinas was charged with trafficking in marijuana.

This isn't Lawson's first run-in with the law.

He has a lengthy arrest record dating back to 2006 for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, intent to sell, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and soliciting another to commit prostitution.