Marijuana in the Mail Puts Sarasota Man Behind Bars

Images: Conrado Salas Jr.; the police display the cash and packages of marijuana and other substances seized from his apartment (Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office).

A Sarasota man is facing multiple drug charges after postal inspectors last week intercepted a 27-pound package of marijuana mailed to his apartment. Police detectives then searched his residence Friday and seized another 33 pounds of marijuana, as well as cocaine and nearly $22,000 in cash, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

Conrado Salas Jr., 35, was arrested Friday and charged with trafficking in marijuana, and possession with intent to sell marijuana, cocaine and butane hash oil, the sheriff’s office said. He also faces two counts of possession of a controlled substance and manufacturing of butane hash oil. Salas is being held in jail on a $40,000 bond.

Detectives with the sheriff’s office obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s residence at 136 Avenida Veneccia, Apt. C, in Sarasota after the U.S. Postal Service intercepted the package of marijuana addressed to Salas, the sheriff’s office said.

After taking him into custody, the detectives seized the additional marijuana and the cash, as well as 11 grams of cocaine, Adderall and more than 132 grams of butane hash oil used in electronic cigarette cartridges.