Man charged with heroin trafficking

Local law enforcement officials say they’ve arrested an armed drug dealer in their ongoing efforts to track and identify local heroin suppliers.

The Bradenton Police Department’s Narcotics Unit and the Special Investigation Division of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office on Friday arrested Javaris McCants, 22, of Bradenton, who they say is a local heroin dealer who has been conducting sales while out on bond from previous narcotics-related charges.

McCants also had several outstanding felony warrants when he was taken into custody.

Investigators located McCants early Friday afternoon and were able to observe a drug transaction in Manatee County, and officers eventually took him into custody in Sarasota County during a traffic stop at about 2 p.m. in the 3000 block of U.S. 301 in Sarasota County.

During a search of his vehicle, investigators seized heroin, cocaine, a 9mm handgun and drug-related cash, the report said. He also was arrested on warrants charging him with armed trafficking in heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Authorities said further testing will be conducted on the heroin to see if it is mixed with Fentanyl or other synthetic cutting agents.

McCants faces numerous drug, weapons and other charges. He is being held in the Manatee County jail on bonds totaling $169,000.

This story was originally published July 17, 2016 at 9:59 PM with the headline "Man charged with heroin trafficking."