14 arrested in Lauderhill drug investigation targeting townhomes
Key Points(5)
- Fourteen people are behind bars after a months-long investigation by Lauderhill Police.
- The police operation dubbed “Neighborhood Shield” has also recovered over 200 bags of drugs.
- Detectives said their investigation centered around two areas: Jimmy’s Supermarket, a neighborhood store, and Lauderhill Gardens townhomes.
- “Based on officers patrolling the neighborhood and also complaints we received from the community, we started this investigation as a result of the community’s outreach,” said Lauderhill Police Chief Constance Stanley.
- After nearly two months and several drug buys, investigators found bags of cocaine, crack rocks, marijuana and other drugs commonly referred to as bath salts.
Fourteen people have been arrested following a seven-week Lauderhill Police investigation into suspected drug sales at a neighborhood store and a nearby townhouse community, authorities said Tuesday.
The operation, dubbed “Neighborhood Shield,” focused on the Lauderhill Gardens Townhouses in the 4000 block of Northwest 19th Street and Jimmy’s Supermarket in the 90 block of Northwest 34th Avenue.
Lauderhill Police Chief Constance Stanley said the investigation began after officers conducting patrols and residents reported suspected drug activity in the areas.
“Based on officers patrolling the neighborhood and also complaints we received from the community, we started this investigation as a result of the community’s outreach,” Stanley said.
Detectives conducted about 70 hours of surveillance, worked with confidential informants and made nearly two dozen controlled purchases during the investigation, according to police.
Investigators purchased and recovered suspected cocaine, crack cocaine, cannabis and a synthetic drug known as alpha-PVP, or flakka, police said.
Detectives also executed a search warrant at Jimmy’s Supermarket, where they allegedly found suspected drugs among regular merchandise and in other common areas of the store.
Police said investigators recovered 32 individually packaged bags of suspected flakka weighing slightly more than 7 grams that were hidden among merchandise.
Stanley said some of those arrested were employed at the store, which remains open.
She said the department expects court proceedings to determine whether the store’s license can be revoked and whether the business can be shut down.
Police said the investigation uncovered alleged drug sales both inside and immediately outside the supermarket during business hours.
Sgt. Edward McCormick said investigators believe many of the suspects were working together to facilitate drug transactions.
“Everything that we’ve identified so far is most of the individuals in Lauderhill Gardens townhomes and at Jimmy’s were working together to facilitate these narcotics transactions,” McCormick said.
He said police believe the operation disrupted much of the suspected activity but acknowledged that drug sales could resume.
“We are hopeful that we disrupted the majority of them, but I’m sure there’s still more out there,” McCormick said.
The arrests resulted in charges including the sale or delivery of cocaine and cannabis, as well as conspiracy charges. At least five suspects face charges alleging that drugs were sold or delivered within 1,000 feet of a child care facility.
Other charges include allegations of selling cocaine within 1,000 feet of a convenience business and selling cannabis within 1,000 feet of a convenience store.
McCormick said the department’s Street Enforcement Team will continue investigating drug activity in the area.
“I think this operation gave us a lot of satisfaction,” he said. “This is what we signed up for. This is what these guys do every single day. They’re out here working hard for the citizens of Lauderhill.”
“No matter who comes forward, no matter how many dealers there are, we’re going to continue to take them off the streets,” he said.
Police said activity in the targeted areas has slowed since the operation, but officers will continue monitoring the neighborhoods.
