A bale of marijuana wrapped in plastic was discovered on the beach in Hanna Park in April. (Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A routine dog walk at Hanna Park turned into an unexpected drug discovery — and the nose behind it belonged to a service dog owned by a Jacksonville man.
In April, Tyler Gibson, who served in the Air Force, was walking his service dog “Zuma” along the Jacksonville beach when he stumbled upon a bale of marijuana that had washed ashore after high tide.
No two calls for service are ever alike.
Take this call, for example, from Monday, April 13, when a man was walking his dog (that happened to be a retired narcotics canine) at Hanna Park. The two stumbled upon a bale of marijuana washed ashore after high tide and called our… pic.twitter.com/vRMxbPuCEe
— Jax Sheriff’s Office (@JSOPIO) May 2, 2026
Gibson, who thought the plastic was actually a Portuguese man o’ war, quickly contacted the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Officers responded, collected what is commonly known as a “square grouper” — a slang term for bales of marijuana or other drugs that wash ashore from the ocean — and transported it to the property and evidence vault.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
About the AuthorTravis Gibson headshotTravis Gibson
Executive Reporter who has lived in Jacksonville for over 30 years and helps reporters develop meaningful and impactful community stories.
Varsity 4 Boys Basketball Player of the Year
▶ 0:47
Varsity 4 Boys Basketball Player of the YearVarsity 4 Girls Basketball Player of the Year Kathleen Crawley
▶ 0:57
Varsity 4 Girls Basketball Player of the Year Kathleen Crawley Neighbors describe heartbreak after ducklings run over, woman faces felony charges
▶ 0:57
Neighbors describe heartbreak after ducklings run over, woman faces felony chargesDCPS bus stop-arm camera warnings end as Blanding Blvd. identified as hotspot; $225 fines begin
▶ 0:51
DCPS bus stop-arm camera warnings end as Blanding Blvd. identified as hotspot; $225 fines beginWildfire now 45% contained as officials offer resources for recovery support
▶ 1:27
Wildfire now 45% contained as officials offer resources for recovery supportEverything you need to know about the 61st Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Fest
▶ 1:04
Everything you need to know about the 61st Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp FestAlligator warning during mating season
▶ 0:31
Alligator warning during mating seasonWoman describes killing man with hammer, testifies that he molested her for years as a child
▶ 2:15
Woman describes killing man with hammer, testifies that he molested her for years as a childDonations pour in for Brantley County community
▶ 1:28
Donations pour in for Brantley County communityVarsity 4 Boys Soccer Player of the Year Robert Calazans
▶ 0:49
Varsity 4 Boys Soccer Player of the Year Robert CalazansParamedic’s home among the first to burn down in Brantley County wildfire, but he kept working
▶ 0:50
Paramedic’s home among the first to burn down in Brantley County wildfire, but he kept workingBrantley County recovery efforts continue amid ‘warzone’ left by wildfire
▶ 0:59
Brantley County recovery efforts continue amid ‘warzone’ left by wildfireThe science behind the health hazards of wildfire smoke
▶ 1:26
The science behind the health hazards of wildfire smoke6-year-old living with congenital heart failure gets to meet Savannah Bananas
▶ 2:07
6-year-old living with congenital heart failure gets to meet Savannah BananasGeorgia church becomes base camp for firefighters battling Brantley County wildfire Play Video
▶ 0:36
Georgia church becomes base camp for firefighters battling Brantley County wildfire Play VideoVolunteers rally to evacuate nearly 200 animals from Brantley wildfire
▶ 1:44
Volunteers rally to evacuate nearly 200 animals from Brantley wildfireStella Jones Varsity 4 Girls Soccer Player of the Year
▶ 1:06
Stella Jones Varsity 4 Girls Soccer Player of the YearWitness shares video of St. Johns County investigation that shut down all lanes on I-95
▶ 0:43
Witness shares video of St. Johns County investigation that shut down all lanes on I-95Meet our April Positively JAX winner: Chris Shee, founder of MasterCraft Builder Group 🌟🏠
▶ 1:09
Meet our April Positively JAX winner: Chris Shee, founder of MasterCraft Builder Group 🌟🏠 Brantley County shifts to recovery, but wildfire danger not over yet, officials warn
▶ 1:15
Brantley County shifts to recovery, but wildfire danger not over yet, officials warnKailani Barrientos is the Varsity 4 All-News4JAX Girls Wrestler of the Year
▶ 0:50
Kailani Barrientos is the Varsity 4 All-News4JAX Girls Wrestler of the YearCoach Drafts and the Nease Panthers are fired up for spring ball 🏈 🔥 👀
▶ 1:47
Coach Drafts and the Nease Panthers are fired up for spring ball 🏈 🔥 👀Some Brantley County residents return home relieved but emotionally drained
▶ 0:50
Some Brantley County residents return home relieved but emotionally drained3 a.m. alcohol sales expanding to Brooklyn after council vote
▶ 0:26
3 a.m. alcohol sales expanding to Brooklyn after council voteBrantley County residents still able to return home though hot spots are still along Highway 110
▶ 0:39
Brantley County residents still able to return home though hot spots are still along Highway 110Previous photoNext photo