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Police catch fleeing drugmaking suspects
Clearwater authorities confiscate crack cocaine, weapons and more from what they describe as a significant "crack cook house."
By JACOB H. FRIES
Published February 26, 2005
CLEARWATER - More than two dozen police officers descended upon a northwest Clearwater apartment Thursday afternoon and arrested three men, dismantling a significant drugmaking operation, authorities said.
At 1:10 p.m., when police pulled up outside the apartment complex at 2035 Alpine Road, the suspects were in the middle of cooking another batch of crack cocaine, said Clearwater police spokesman Wayne Shelor.
The men saw police vehicles and ran, Shelor said. But with a wide perimeter of police, including SWAT members and canine units, the suspects were in handcuffs within 10 seconds.
Inside apartment No. 2 - just off Kings Highway - investigators found boxes of ammunition and 10 handguns arranged about the rooms such that one was always within reach, Shelor said. At least one of the guns, a .357 revolver, is thought to be stolen.
Detectives also recovered 31.6 grams of crack cocaine, 3.5 grams of marijuana, pipes, drug-cooking equipment and a police scanner.
Brandon Filer, 18, was charged with trafficking in cocaine, several counts of selling and possessing drugs and weapons charges. Filer also had an outstanding warrant for burglary and battery. He was being held in county jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Also arrested were Joell McCray, 18, who was charged with fleeing and eluding police, and Martavious Conway, 17, who was charged with drug possession and resisting arrest.
"This is by no means the only crack cook house in the city of Clearwater," Shelor said. "But these individuals have been a thorn in their neighbors' sides for months. People were coming to that apartment at all hours of the day and night."
Just before police pulled up, Shelor said, people were seen leaving the apartment, apparently the last customers.
Jacob H. Fries can be reached at 727 445-4156 or at jfries@sptimes.com
[Last modified February 26, 2005, 01:14:15]
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