Manatee Sheriffs And Sarasota Police Break-Up Major Cocaine Trafficking Ring With 12 Arrests

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Sarasota And Manatee authorities arrested 12 men on federal drug charges as they joined forces to bust up a major cocaine trafficking ring according to a story on the Bradenton Herald’s website. All 12 men have been indicted on federal drug charges. According to the story, the prize of the operation, called Operation SRQ Cartel”, was Jesus “Jesse” Guzman. The man also known as Antonio Marroquin was allegedly the leader of the cocaine trafficking operation.

Guzman was arrested in a raid at Exotic Auto Parts during which detectives seized more than three kilos of cocaine. During the two-year investigation it is being reported that federal agents seized four kilos of cocaine, $350,000 in cash and more than $1 million in property.…

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January 6, 2010

Buju Banton Arrives In Pinellas County Jail As He Awaits Trial On Federal Drug Charges

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U.S. Marshalls transported reggae star Buju Banton to a Pinellas County jail this morning where he will wait for a trial on federal drug charges. The singer is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. The charges stem from a drug bust in Sarasota where Banton and two other men were caught on video tape entering into a drug transaction with undercover officers according to reports and a story on TampaBay.com.

Banton’s arraignment is scheduled for Thursday in Tampa. His lawyer was quoted as saying that Banton will plead not guilty. The reggae star is nominated for a Grammy this year and is 36 years old.…

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December 16, 2009

Tampa Courtroom Will Be Site For Cocaine Distribution Trial Of Raggae Star Buju Banton

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton will fight charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine in a Tampa courtroom after waiving his bail hearing in a Miami federal court. The charges stem from a cocaine purchase in Sarasota last week. According to an Associated Press story, the singer and two others attempted to purchase a “large amount” of cocaine from an undercover officer. The maximum prison sentence in Florida for the drug crime could be life in prison.

According to a DEA affidavit, law enforcement officers were tipped off about the cocaine deal by a confidential informant. Banton’s attorney has proclaimed the Jamaican singer “completely innocent” of the drug charges.…

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