Sheriff's detectives seize large amounts of cocaine, heroin in bust in Bradenton

MANATEE -- Investigators seized large amounts of heroin and cocaine during a bust in the parking lot of a Bradenton bar about 6:30 p.m. Friday, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office said it appeared Damien Tremaine Ross -- arrested in Bradenton in 2014 on a cocaine-trafficking charge -- planned to sell the drugs to other dealers for distribution in Manatee County.

Detectives reported Ross, 35, had a large amount of heroin in the parking lot of Pool Room 41, 5106 14th St. W., so they decided to take Ross down while conducting what was believed to be a drug deal with Javaris McCants.

As deputies moved in, Ross ran but he was soon arrested by a canine unit, according to the sheriff's office.

During a search of search of Ross' Jeep Cherokee, investigators reportedly found 82.1 grams of heroin, 83.3 grams of rock cocaine, 675.4 grams of powder cocaine, 2.4 grams of marijuana and cash.

"These narcotics were not packaged in small baggies for sale to individuals, but were packaged in larger bags to be sold to other dealers for distribution throughout the county," according to the report.

Detectives also found small amounts of heroin and marijuana in McCants' vehicle, according to the report.

Ross faces charges of trafficking heroin, trafficking powder cocaine, trafficking rock cocaine and resisting arrest. He was held without bond at the Manatee County jail.

McCants, who faces charges of heroin possession and marijuana possession, was held on bonds totaling $2,000.

Court records show Ross already is facing a cocaine trafficking charge after he was arrested July 11, 2014. That case is pending, as officials await an appeals court ruling on whether a judge was correct Aug. 10 in ruling Bradenton police improperly searched a residence and vehicle to find the drugs.

This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 5:28 PM with the headline "Sheriff's detectives seize large amounts of cocaine, heroin in bust in Bradenton ."