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Tarpon police arrest 10 in drug investigation

Police say their undercover work might ultimately lead to nearly 30 arrests.

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 22, 2005

TARPON SPRINGS - A task force of Tarpon Springs police and Pinellas County sheriff's deputies arrested 10 people Wednesday afternoon and evening as a result of an undercover drug investigation, police said.

The arrests started at 3 p.m. and followed a six-month undercover investigation called Operation Crackdown. Police said the investigation had resulted in their establishing probable cause to arrest nearly 30 people, mostly on charges of sale and possession of cocaine.

During the investigation, "narcotics were purchased" from the suspects, who were generally street-level drug dealers, said Tarpon Springs police Sgt. Jeffrey P. Young.

"Most of the people that we're looking for at this time do reside in Tarpon Springs," Young said.

As of 8:30 p.m., police and deputies working in four teams had arrested six men, one woman and three teenagers. The adults arrested Wednesday included:

Larry Smith, 18, of Tarpon Springs, charged with two counts of sale and possession of crack cocaine and one misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana.

Bradford E. Ashley, 44, of Tarpon Springs, charged with two counts of sale and possession of crack cocaine.

Deven Mathis, 22, of Tarpon Springs, charged with two counts of sale and possession of crack cocaine.

Felicia L. Taylor, 45, of Tarpon Springs, charged with two counts of sale and possession of crack cocaine and and a misdemeanor count of obstruction.

Ryan M. Brinsom, 27, of Tarpon Springs, charged with one count of sale and possession of crack cocaine, one count of violation of probation and one count of possession of crack cocaine.

Damon T. Mathis, 21, of Holiday, charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine and one count of misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Ziamah McGaughy, 26, whose address was not available, charged with two counts of sale and possession of crack cocaine.

[Last modified September 22, 2005, 01:22:15]