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14 Arrested In Methamphetamine Sweep

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston (left of middle) stands next to Bradenton Police Department Chief of Police Michael Radzilowski (middle) as they announce the results of "Operation Broken Ice" busts, during a press conference at the Bradenton Police Department.

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KEVIN O'HORAN Sarasota Hearld Tribune

Published: September 25, 2007

Video: WFLA Natalie Shepherd Report | Photo Gallery

BRADENTON — Fourteen people have been arrested and 32 pounds of methamphetamine has been recovered during an early-morning police sweep through Bradenton and surrounding areas.

The "Operation Broken Ice" sweep targeted users and dealers of methamphetamine, a highly addictive drug often simply called "meth," after a search warrant issued in December 2006 led law enforcement to learn of the drug's growing popularity in the area.

"We didn't think it was this big a problem when we started out," said Lt. James Racky, head of the Bradenton Police Department's narcotics unit. "It will be one of the up-and-comers in our area."

In addition to the meth recovered, which carried a street value of roughly $575,000, law enforcement officers also recovered undisclosed amounts of rock cocaine and marijuana, along with various handguns and rifles. They have so far named 35 suspects and issued more than 75 search warrants in the sweep, and expect more arrests to come.

While serving a search warrant at 1320 57th Avenue East, Bradenton, a homemade bomb was discovered. The bomb was seized by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad.

Operation Broken Ice started in Bradenton, then rolled into Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Polk and Desoto counties. In addition to the Bradenton Police Department, the effort included the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and sheriff's offices in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

ARRESTS AND CHARGES SO FAR:

1. Cindy A. Vorraro, 38, Safety Harbor: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine

2. John Parsons, 24, Palmetto: Conspiracy to Purchase Controlled Substance Schedule II (loritab).

3. Kenneth J. Gardner, 29, Palmetto: Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine

4. Rogelio Velez, 26, Bradenton: Trafficking Methamphetamine more than 28 grams, Conspracy to Trafficking Cocaine 200-400 Grams, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery

5. Ricardo Velez, 19, Bradenton: Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine 200-400 Grams, Conspiracy to Sell Rock Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine

6. Eugene A. Washington Jr., 19, Oneco, Fl: Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine 200-400 Grams

7. Leonel Tribilant, 37, Bradenton: Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine, Conspiracy to Sell Rock Cocaine, Conspiracy to Sell marijuana over 20 grams

8. April A. Sanchez, 31, Bradenton: Conspiracy to Purchase Methamphetamine

9. Shirley L. Fannin, 40, Bradenton: Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine, Sale of Methamphetamine

10. William D. Willis Jr., 40, Bradenton: Conspiracy to Sell Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Purchase Methamphetamine

11. Danielle N. Wells, 18, Bradenton: Conspiracy to Purchase Marijuana

12. Denise Potter, 39, Holmes Beach: Conspiracy to Purchase Methamphetamine

13. Stewart O. Gatewood, 35, Bradenton: Sale of Methamphetamine

14. Amanda K. Stoothoff, 21, of Sarasota: Possession of Cocaine

BY THE NUMBERS:

Methamphetamine Seized: 32 pounds (Street value of roughly $575,000)
Money Seized: Approximately $7,500
Vehicles Seized: 9
Home Made Bombs: 1
Arrests so Far: 14
Suspects: 35
Warrants: 75

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