SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. – The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office charged eight people with drug-related offenses following a significant long-term investigation in north Sarasota.
Beginning in February, Special Investigation detectives partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in response to recent drug sales and gun violence occurring in the 2200 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Way.
Over several months, detectives identified eight key individuals in connection with significant criminal activity that originated in the parking lot of the Purple Store, a business located near the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Way and Colson Avenue.
Collectively, those charged have 131 prior felony charges with 76 convictions and 112 previous misdemeanor charges with 47 convictions. Today, these individuals now face a total of 34 new felony charges.
“We work diligently to address reoccurring criminal activity throughout specific areas of unincorporated Sarasota County,” commented Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman. “Whether it takes our patrol deputies, tactical units, criminal investigators, undercover personnel, or a combination of all four, we utilize intelligence-led policing to put resources where they will make the most impact. In this situation, drugs and guns were being sold across the street from an elementary school, public library, and afterschool care program. While these arrests are significant, our efforts will not stop here. We will continue to monitor this corridor and interrupt criminal activity to protect our citizens and, more importantly, our children.”
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