MANATEE CO., FL (WWSB) - Since the start of this year, detectives from the Special Investigations Division with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office have conducted multiple undercover drug purchases from individuals throughout Manatee County.
The operations have focused on subjects selling, distributing and trafficking in narcotics. As a result of these investigations, 200 charges were filed from 75 different suspects.
During these investigations, detectives seized around 7,939 grams of cocaine, 697 grams of heroin/fentanyl/carfentanil, 38,465 grams of marijuana, 1 gram of methadone, 3,258 grams of methamphetamine, 73 grams of rock cocaine, 58 grams of hydrocodone, 139 grams of Xanax, 2 grams of Ecstasy, 5 grams of Oxycodone and 131 grams of other prescription pills.
The seizures have prevented over 7,000 ‘‘hits’’ (uses) of opioids from being distributed, which has been the cause of numerous overdoses and deaths within the county. Additional investigative initiatives and activities are ongoing.
