Latest news with #drugSeizure
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Police seize guns, drugs and make nearly 40 arrests during Operation Sarasota S.U.R.G.E. III
The Brief Nearly 40 people have been arrested during Operation Sarasota S.U.R.G.E. since last August. Operation Sarasota S.U.R.G.E. III stands for Sarasota Unified Reduction Gun Crime Enforcement. Drugs and dozens of guns, some of which were stolen, were also seized during the operation. SARASOTA, Fla. - Nearly 40 people have been arrested, and Sarasota police seized dozens of guns, some illegal, and pounds of illegal drugs during Operation Sarasota S.U.R.G.E. III, a joint operation with the ATF. What is Operation Sarasota S.U.R.G.E. III Operation Sarasota S.U.R.G.E. III stands for Sarasota Unified Reduction Gun Crime Enforcement. The backstory It began in August 2024 and was created to aggressively combat violent crime, particularly firearm-related offenses, and reduce the presence of illegal weapons and drugs in the city. Over nine months, Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche said undercover detectives, working with confidential informants, conducted nearly 100 pre-planned operations. By the numbers Law enforcement officers recovered 43 guns. Fifteen of the guns were stolen and 10 were linked to shootings in Sarasota, Tampa and St. Petersburg. Some of the guns were recovered hours after being reported stolen. The chief said they also seized 44 pounds of marijuana, 1.72 pounds of cocaine, 6.6 pounds of THC wax, 8.7 ounces of methamphetamine and smaller, but dangerous amounts of fentanyl, heroin, mushrooms, MDMA and hundreds of illegal prescription pills. Who was arrested? Thirty-nine of 42 identified suspects were arrested, and law enforcement officers are working to locate the ones still at large. Clyde Lee was among those arrested. Sarasota police said Lee, who has 14 prior felonies, sold 23 pieces of rock cocaine to an undercover detective for $200. Daman Dipina was also arrested for selling marijuana near a park. Sarasota Police said he had 13 prior felonies. What they're saying "Just by virtue of them being in custody and being held accountable we are making the city of Sarasota a safer place. You have to remember too when you have firearms you have drugs," said Chief Troche. "Let me be very clear. Operations like SURGE are very dangerous. Our undercover officers faced armed, violent felons in high-risk encounters and they did it with professionalism, courage and pure precision," Troche stated. "Make no mistake. If you are illegally carrying a firearm in the city of Sarasota, especially if you are a felon, you will be identified, investigated and you will be held accountable in the city of Sarasota." "We have operations going 24/7, so if you think you're selling it to someone off the street, guess what? You're probably selling it to us and you're going to go to jail," Troche said. "With our partnership with the federal government, that's a hammer with the federal government, so is the state attorney's office. With that partnership with the federal government and the state attorney's office, that's the perfect mixture right there." The Source This story was written with information presented during a press conference Wednesday morning with the Sarasota Police Department.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- BBC News
Arrests and drugs seized in North Yorkshire county lines crackdown
Police have seized drugs and made five arrests as part of an operation targeting county lines from North Yorkshire Police executed warrants at 36 properties in Scarborough, Selby, Richmond and Harrogate across a seven-day Supt Fionna McEwan said while the county "remains one of the safest places in the country" gangs were still operating in the members of the public to report any suspicious activity, she said: "The information maybe the missing piece of the jigsaw that helps us to further protect our communities." County lines refers to the movement of drugs from usually bigger cities to small communities and often involves the exploitation of vulnerable the week of action, officers also made checks at homes where people may have been subjected to "cuckooing" - when a perpetrator takes over a person's home and uses the property for criminal Supt McEwan added: "I want to thank the fantastic partners we work with every day who help build intelligence, educate young people, protect those people who are being exploited, and target the offenders running these lines. "It is the strength of the partnership that makes the difference." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- CTV News
Road rage incident leads to weapons, drugs seized: CKPS
Weapons and a quantity of drugs have been seized after a road rage incident in Chatham-Kent. The Chatham-Kent Police Service said the initial incident took place on May 26, leading to officers obtaining a search warrant for the suspect's home. On Tuesday, that warrant was executed, with officers searching for a gun and ammunition. Around 7:15 p.m., officers entered the home, arresting the suspect without incident. The following items were seized: Three 9-millimetre casings One round of 9-millimetre ammunition Two sets of brass knuckles 26 grams of cocaine 32 grams of MDMA Digital scales Packaging material Canadian cash A cellphone The total value of items seized is an estimated $4,800. The 32-year-old man was taken into custody for unauthorized possession of a firearm and pointing a firearm. He now faces additional charges for possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of MDMA for the purpose of trafficking, and two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon.
ABC News
11-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Illegal 'chop shop raided in Mackay and millions of cigarettes, loose tobacco and vapes seized
Police and Mackay Public Health Unit officers have seized one of the largest hauls of illicit tobacco and nicotine products in a single raid in Queensland history. Supplied: Mackay Public Health Unit.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
HMCS William Hall assists in seizing 13K kg of cocaine
A Halifax-based navy ship has helped seize a significant amount of drugs during a counter narcotics operation in the Caribbean Sea.
