Nearly 200 grams of cocaine found in Sarasota home during search

Tips on suspicious activity led to a search warrant that found nearly 200 grams of cocaine and more than 30 grams of marijuana inside a Sarasota home Tuesday.

Around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Sarasota Police Department Narcotics Unit, Street Crimes and SWAT Team executed a search warrant in the 2900 block of Palmadelia Avenue where officials found cocaine and other drugs, according to a release from the department.

Lee Claridy, 49, and Tyrone Davis, 48, who lived at the home, were arrested and face several felony charges as a result of the search, according to police.

Claridy was charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and obstruction. Davis was charged with a single count of possession of cocaine. They are being held in the Sarasota County jail.

Both Claridy and Davis have multiple prior felony convictions.

Police previously received several anonymous tips of illegal activity in the home and began an investigation that included undercover drug purchases from the house.

As officials pulled up to search the home, Claridy tried to run, but ran straight into officials waiting behind the home’s fence, according to an arrest affidavit. When Claridy was searched, detectives found 38 bags of cocaine weighing a total of 13.5 grams in his pockets.

A blue bank bag with another 180 ounces of cocaine, nearly 32 grams of marijuana and small baggies inside was found in Claridy’s bedroom, according to the affidavit. A digital scale was also found in the living room.

Davis was standing in the front yard as police pulled up; he was also searched. Detectives found three pieces of suspected rock cocaine in his pocket.

“I smoke rock, that’s all I got,” Davis said to officials.

This story was originally published August 23, 2017 at 1:22 PM with the headline "Nearly 200 grams of cocaine found in Sarasota home during search."