Manatee, Sarasota agents make cocaine-trafficking arrest

A collaborative investigation between agents of Sarasota and Manatee county sheriff’s offices resulted in simultaneous raids on homes in Bradenton and Sarasota on Thursday, seizure of cocaine and the arrest of a man on a trafficking charge.

Andres R. Gonzalez, 44, of Bradenton was charged with one count and taken to the Manatee County Jail. Information about his status or bond was not available.

According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, undercover agents purchased cocaine from Gonzalez during the course of their investigation in amounts sufficient to warrant a trafficking charge.

Agents, assisted by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, arrested Gonzalez at a home on 60th Drive East in Bradenton. 

At the same time, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, assisted by city police, served a search warrant on a home in the 3100 block of Lake Ridge Drive – near 12th Street and North Lockwood Ridge Road,

There they discovered and seized 299.5 grams (105 ounces) of powder cocaine.

The investigation continues, authorities said.