Cars, Cash, Cocaine, Ecstasy Seized In Sarasota Drug Sweep

SARASOTA, FL — Three men face a lengthy list of drug-related criminal charges after the Sarasota Police Department served three separate search warrants late last week.

The first round of arrests came Thursday when police searched the property at 1156 Cocoanut Ave. Detectives obtained a search warrant after conducting an investigation into potential drug activity at the home, an email from the police department said.

Once inside the home, detectives found 29 grams of rock cocaine, 9.3 grams of marijuana and $2,155 in cash, the email said.

Those arrested following the April 7 search were:

Arthur Brantley III, 37, of Sarasota

• Charges: trafficking in cocaine, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia

Kishuan D. Pearson, 32, of Sarasota

• Charges: Possession of marijuana less than 20 grams

On Friday, April 8, police searched MB Customs Auto Shop, 1940 11th St., after conducting an investigation into alleged narcotic sales out of the business by its owner. The search of the shop resulted in the seizure of 22.7 grams of powder cocaine, 12.9 grams of rock cocaine, 292.9 grams of marijuana, 1.8 grams of MDMA (ecstasy) and $745 in cash. Two vehicles, a 2006 Cadillac DTS and a 2006 Mercedes Benz CLK330, were also seized, the email said.

Police also searched the 1296 32nd St. home of the auto shop’s owner. Inside the home, where the owner lives with a girlfriend and three children, police found 556.7 grams of powder cocaine, 94.3 grams of rock cocaine, a firearm and $25,000 in cash, the email said. A 2004 Infinity QX56 was also seized from the home.

MB Customs’ owner, Melquisedec Betancourt Jr., 31, was charged with trafficking in cocaine over 400 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia, the police department said.

Photos of the seized items and booking photos of Bentacourt, Brantley and Pearson courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department

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