SARASOTA, FL (WWSB) - The sheriff's office arrested two Sarasota men on felony drug charges Thursday.
A series of undercover drug buys led detectives to recover more than 67 grams of Carfentanil, a synthetic opioid 10,000 times more powerful than morphine.
The investigation began in March with drug transactions between deputies and suspects Michael Sandusky, 23, and Michael White, 29.
On four separate occasions in March and April, Sandusky sold heroin twice and sent White twice to sell the drug on his behalf. Through testing, detectives confirmed the suspected heroin was actually Carfentanil.
In April, when Sandusky temporarily left his residence at 4780 Theodore Ave., detectives conducted a traffic stop and took him into custody. On the same day, detectives seized cannabis, drug paraphernalia and a large quantity of heroin inside his home.
Sandusky was charged with three counts of sale of Carfentanil, two counts of principle to sale of Carfentanil, sale of Carfentanil within 1,000 feet of a church, possession of marijuana and two counts of possession of narcotic equipment. Sandusky has seven prior arrests in Sarasota County for various crimes including burglary, possession of Fentanyl and possession of Xanax.
White, of 3040 Irving St., was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of sale of Carfentanil. White also has prior arrests for principle to burglary, criminal use of personal identification, DUI and more.
Both men remain in custody Thursday. Sandusky's charges carry a $229,000 bond and White is being held without bond. The investigation is ongoing.
