A sheriff's report states the arrests came after months of undercover work and that deputies found a small stash of narcotics during the search.
By DUANE BOURNE
Published July 19, 2003
BROOKSVILLE - Authorities arrested three people they believe to be "mid-level" drug dealers in Hernando County, a sheriff's report stated.
Acting on a search warrant Thursday, detectives arrested Helen McNiff, 44, of 9348 Chase Street, Spring Hill; Lamont E. Richardson, 22, of 16702 Gupton Street, Brooksville; and Derek M. Solorzano, 23, of 4104 Pavia Lane, Spring Hill, on a number of drug charges. They were being held at the Hernando County Jail.
The arrests came after months of undercover work, which enlisted the help of an informer who made "controlled" purchases of narcotics from the suspects on eight separate occasions beginning in May, a report said.
During each purchase, the informer called the drug dealer and arranged a purchase for as much as 2.8 grams, or $300 worth, of crack cocaine. In one case, Solorzano met the informer at a restaurant on Commercial Way, the report said.
Although the report said the Thursday morning drug sweep netted three suspects and a small amount of narcotics, including marijuana, sheriff's spokesman Lt. Joseph Paez said that the arrests will not alter street-level drug sales in Hernando County because the three suspects supplied illicit drugs to a small clientele.
At the time of Richardson's arrest, he told detectives that he smoked marijuana and sold crack but wanted to change his lifestyle, according to the report. He was charged with three counts of selling crack cocaine and four counts of possession of crack cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was being held on $191,000 bail.
Solorzano was charged with five counts of the sale of crack cocaine, six counts of possession of crack, marijuana and a schedule IV narcotic. He was also charged with tampering with evidence for flushing what appeared to be crack into a toilet before detectives entered his home on a drug bust. He was being held on $235,500 bail.
McNiff, who was charged with possession of crack, sale of crack and possession of paraphernalia, is being held on $40,500 bail.
