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Tampa Cocaine Sting Nets 4

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By MIKE WELLS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 28, 2007

TAMPA - After inspecting a kilogram of cocaine on Dec. 19 and calling it "good quality," the two Bradenton men bought the package from an undercover detective and offered to pay $148,000 for a total of seven in installments, according to the Tampa Police Department.

Serafin Mantero, 41, and Cecil Richardson, 39, returned to Tampa on Thursday with two partners and enough cash to buy the next installment of two kilograms, or 4.4 pounds, for $21,000, police said.

Richardson, who stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 315 pounds, has been arrested at least 36 times and has cocaine convictions dating to 1986, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The drug deal went down at 401 S. 50th St., south of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, where Mantero and Richardson were arrested along with Calvin J. Harris, 32, and Michael R. Albury, 22, authorities said.

Police seized a $33,000 in cash from the men, according to arrest reports. All four were charged with first-degree felony trafficking and conspiracy to traffic in cocaine.

They are being held without bail at Orient Road Jail, records show.

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