Fentanyl, Meth Seized In Undercover Drug Sting: Bradenton Police

BRADENTON, FL — Eight people were arrested or have warrants for their arrest, and 121.6 grams of fentanyl, 924.4 grams of methamphetamine and four guns were seized following a five-month undercover investigation targeting a drug trafficking ring, according to a Bradenton Police Department news release.

The department’s narcotics unit worked with Homeland Security Investigations, the Central Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Gulf Coast Task Force and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office on the investigation.

In August, task force detectives learned that Pedro Garcia, a known gang member and convicted felon, was using multiple co-conspirators to distribute drugs throughout Bradenton and Manatee County, police said.

During the investigation, undercover detectives purchased fentanyl from him and a wiretap warrant was authorized for his phone.

On Dec. 4, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle leaving Garcia’s home. A positive alert by police K9 Blue prompted a search by police in which 924.4 grams of meth were found.

During Dec. 21 and 22 search warrants on his home and another home he frequented, 72.4 grams of fentanyl, two rifles and two handguns, and multiple rounds of ammunition were found.

• Pedro Garcia, 41: Three counts of trafficking in fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, conspiracy to sell methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of public housing, four counts of possession of a firearm by a gang-related convicted felon and possession of ammunition by a gang-related convicted felon. At the time of his arrest, Garcia was on federal probation for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was out on bond for two murder charges in Manatee County.

• Rocky Jimenez, 42: Two counts of trafficking in fentanyl, possession of fentanyl and conspiracy to sell methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of public housing.

• Ernestina Gutierrez, 56: Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Cynthia Gutierrez-Mendez, 26: Conspiracy to deliver cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church.

• Gerardo Casiano, 23: Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church.

Warrants are issued for the following people:

• Pablo Adrian Estrada, 32: Conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and trafficking in methamphetamine.

• Francisco Flores III, 38: Conspiracy to traffic fentanyl.
• Laquinton Trevon Hart, 30: Conspiracy to possess fentanyl with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a church.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Estrada, Flores, or Hart is asked to contact Bradenton Police Detective Brandon Kells at brandon.kells@bradentonpd.com. All information is confidential.

Submit tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at manateecrimestoppers.com or 866-634-8477.