Crime
More details released in investigation of Bradenton's accused 'No. 1' heroin dealer
MANATEE -- New details about the arrests of two key accused heroin traffickers reveal that law enforcement has been investigating Cedric Houston and Cody Lambert since March 2015, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
DEA officials, along with the Bradenton Police Department and Manatee County Sheriff's Office, have been conducting a long-term drug investigation into heroin and opioid traffickers in the area since overdose deaths started climbing in September 2014. Officials largely blame the high number of deaths on the local heroin supply being cut with fentanyl, a painkiller between 80 and 100 times more potent than morphine.
On Friday, Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube identified Houston as a main target of the investigation, which so far has netted 15 arrests and the seizure of large amounts of heroin, fentanyl and other drugs.
"Our No. 1 guy was Cedric Houston," Steube said. "As a result of that, he was arrested, bonded out, was targeted again and arrested again."
The complaint for an arrest warrant, filed by DEA officials, said law enforcement began tracking Houston's phone communications on March 4, 2015, and a judge extended that on April 2. Through those communications, investigators believe Houston was distributing heroin in large quantities to other dealers, including Cody Lambert of Port Richey.
"Throughout the intercepts, the Investigating Agency determined that Houston was distributing heroin to multiple buyers to include a person identified as Cody Adam Lambert," the complaint states.
The complaint detailed two encounters between Lambert and Houston. On April 12, 2015, Lambert identified himself on a phone call and asked Houston, "You got enough to serve me?" He asked for seven grams of heroin and Houston replied he only had two right now, but that, "It'll work out,
I'll just, if anything, I'll just give you all the bags."
The two arranged to meet at a doctor's office in the 4700 block of 26th Street West in Bradenton.
Law enforcement set up surveillance and observed a white Ford Explorer parked in the lot and a "newer model" white Infiniti SUV enter the lot and park next to the Explorer.
Lambert exited the Explorer, opened the trunk of the Infiniti and returned to the Explorer.
Law enforcement followed the Explorer and conducted a traffic stop for a window tint violation in the 6300 block of U.S. 41, according to the complaint.
Investigators found 9.3 grams of heroin in the vehicle. Lambert later told them he had purchased the drug from "CJ" through the phone number that investigators were monitoring.
Neither the Manatee County Sheriff's Office nor the clerk of court website lists an arrest for Lambert at that time.
On April 20, Lambert again called Houston and asked to buy seven grams of heroin. Houston told him it would cost $1,150 and the two again agreed to meet in the doctor's office parking lot.
Investigators observed the same two cars pull into the parking lot, and the Explorer left three minutes after it arrived.
A deputy conducted another traffic stop and found approximately eight grams of heroin in Lambert's underwear, according to the complaint.
Those drugs later tested positive for 6.8 grams of acetylfentanyl, a synthetic form of fentanyl.
Houston was most recently arrested Jan. 20 on charges of trafficking in heroin and possession of cocaine with intent to sell. At the time of that arrest, Houston was out on bonds totaling $120,000 for the April arrest, when he was charged with four counts of sale of heroin and possession of heroin with intent to sell or deliver within 1,000 feet of a place of worship.
A search of Houston, the vehicle and his backpack during the January arrest yielded 44.5 grams of heroin, 11.7 grams of crack cocaine, 1.4 grams of cocaine and $4,500 in cash, authorities said. He met with three people for "short durations," which deputies believe was related to heroin sales.
Houston has also been charged with domestic battery, use of a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, trafficking cocaine, violating probation, home invasion and numerous other offenses since 2000.
Houston has been incarcerated in state prisons three times, most recently in August 2009 when he was sentenced to four years in prison after his conviction on several charges, including cocaine possession. He was released in November 2011, according to the Florida Department of Correction.
His earlier prison stints, also for cocaine-related and other convictions, were from March 2001 to November 2001; and from April 2004 to November 2006, according to prison records.
Houston faces charges of conspiring to traffic in heroin, trafficking in heroin and six counts of selling heroin.
He is being held in the Manatee County jail without bond due to previous contempt of court charges.
Lambert faces charges of conspiring to traffic in heroin and trafficking heroin and is being held in the Manatee County jail without bond.
Kate Irby, Herald online/political reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7055. You can follow her on Twitter @KateIrby
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