Police charge 20 with dealing drugs

The Sarasota Police Department announced Wednesday morning that it has charged 20 individuals with dealing drugs.

Chief Bernadette DiPino said the department’s Operation Corner Stone was part of a Drug Market Intervention initiative that it began in 2012. The citywide operation began in early 2017 and ended in late October.

“These individuals were distributing various narcotics throughout our community – everything from cocaine to heroin to spice to various prescription pills,” said DiPino.

Of the 18 men and two women charged, 16 have been arrested and four are still wanted by Sarasota police. They face a total of 559 felony charges.

Overall, the suspects have previously been convicted of 174 felonies. One of the suspects, Jerome Bull, has 31 prior felony convictions.

“You can see that the people are coming back out onto the street after being arrested and they still continue to be involved in criminal action and behavior,” said DiPino, adding that it was “troublesome.”

While some residents may be concerned about the suspects making their way back to the streets, DiPino said that her department does its best to provide a strong case to the state attorney’s office in order to seek the most severe penalty possible.

“I think you’ll see some of these individuals going to jail for a long time,” DiPino said.

DiPino said that there are still active narcotics investigations pending and that her agency and warned Sarasota’s drug dealers that it’s only a matter of time before they’re caught.

“Beware – We are coming after you and we’re not going stop until we keep our streets clean.”

Those with information pertaining to the four men still wanted by Sarasota police — Derrick Harner, Benjamin Kung, Darryll McNeal and Khalid Polk — can call the Sarasota Police Department at (941) 316-1199.

This story was originally published November 8, 2017 at 11:59 AM with the headline "Police charge 20 with dealing drugs."