Detectives charged eight people with drug-related offenses following a significant long-term investigation in north Sarasota.Beginning in February, detectives partnered with 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 and 112 previous misdemeanor charges. Today, these individuals now face a total of 34 new felony charges.
While six have been arrested, warrants have been issued for the arrests of Christopher Phillips (charged with two counts of Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 Feet of a School), and Gregory Swain (charged with Trafficking in Cocaine, Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 Feet of a School, two counts of Sale of Cocaine, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device).
Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is asked to contact our Special Investigations Section at 941.861.4900 or submit a tip through Crime Stoppers of Sarasota County by dialing 941.366.TIPS.
Read more in our complete news release here: https://bit.ly/3poSj8V