Bradenton Man Busted on Heroin Charges

BRADENTON, FL – A 20-year-old Bradenton man faces criminal charges after Manatee County Sheriff’s deputies say they caught him in possession of heroin and paraphernalia.

The case against Markeith V. Laws began to unfold around 2 p.m. Monday when a detective spotted Laws getting into the driver’s seat of a gray Nissan. As Laws took off, the detective confirmed his license had been suspended, an email from the agency stated. With evidence of one violation of law in hand, the detective called for additional surveillance support, the email said.

Deputies say they followed law to 6732 15th St. Court W. where they conducted a traffic stop. As deputies noted Laws’ temporary tag was expired, a K9 officer conducted a walk around on the vehicle. The canine alerted, prompting a search inside, the email noted.

Deputies ultimately discovered a small brown cloth bag with heroin inside. They also found a measuring straw and clear plastic bags used in heroin sales, the email said.

Laws was booked into the Manatee County Jail on possession of heroin with intent to sell charges. He was later released in lieu of $8,000 bond.

Booking photo courtesy of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office