An investigation that began with complaints about vaping in schools ended with the arrest of what Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said Feb. 6 was a “major drug trafficker.”
Investigators found nearly 80 pounds of marijuana, thousands of THC vapes, seven guns, and more than $56,000 in cash at two residences in Indiantown.
Officials believe that the suspect, Bryan Gomez-Colin, 21, had “underlings” to help him sell drugs through local schools. Here’s a breakdown of what officials found in their investigation.
Martin County police officers found 80 pounds of marijuana, 2500 vapes and more than $56,000 in cash
In total, Budensiek said investigators turned up 78.5 pounds of marijuana; 2,544 THC vapes/cartridges; 81 THC wax/dab containers; 290 THC gummies; seven guns and more than $56,000 during search warrants executed late Feb. 3 and early Feb. 4 at residences in Indiantown.
The search warrants were at residences in the 14500 block of Southwest Esperanza Court and 14800 block of Southwest 175th Court. The locations are about 0.5 mile apart, west of Southwest Warfield Boulevard.
Investigators reported linking the residences to Bryan Gomez-Colin, 21, records show.
‘They absolutely affect our kids’: Martin County officers looking into complaints of vaping in Florida schools
Budensiek said the top complaint about crime in schools involves kids vaping, adding that said some children have adverse side effects from marijuana vapes and have been to the hospital.
“I understand that public sentiment is softening with marijuana, but these black market marijuana dealers like this guy, they absolutely affect our kids,” Budensiek said.
The search warrants came after reported undercover drug buys in September, December and January from Gomez-Colin, records show. In two of the buys, records show, an informant purchased about an ounce of cocaine as well as marijuana, while in the first the informant bought just marijuana, affidavits state.
“He really was not on our radar until we got that complaint about the vapes in the schools,” Budensiek said. “Then our narcotics guys, they just followed the investigation like they normally do, but this one ended up with a lot larger of a seizure.”
Bryan Gomez-Colin arrested with trafficking, possession charges
Gomez-Colin was held Feb. 6 on $840,000 bail in the Martin County Jail on 13 charges, including trafficking in cannabis in excess of 25 pounds; trafficking in cocaine; and possession of cocaine, according to records and a jail official.
A woman identified as the girlfriend of Gomez-Colin, 22-year-old Crystal Virginia Cazarez, was arrested on charges of trafficking in cannabis in excess of 25 pounds and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, records show.
It appeared the drugs were being shipped to Martin County from another area, which Budensiek suspected was California, investigators said.
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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: School complaints led to drug bust of 2,500 vapes in Florida
Reporting by Will Greenlee and Hana Khalyleh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
