Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/135276
Sarasota News Leader June 7, 2013 Page 61 THREE ARRESTED IN SARASOTA POLICE MDMA BUST Three people were arrested on Thursday, May 30, after detectives with the Sarasota Police Department's Strategic Narcotics Unit — assisted by the Tactical and Street Crimes units — conducted an undercover buy/bust operation in the 1000 block of North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, involving MDMA, the department has reported. A bag with MDMA. Contributed photo The drug is commonly referred to as Ecstasy can be purchased from other countries onor Molly, a news release says. line," it notes. An undercover police detective negotiated the purchase of 1 ounce of crystalline MDMA Other, similar types of substances include from a female juvenile suspect, the report Methylone, or "M1," and can be found in bath says, noting the drug has a street value of ap- salts, the report says. "Abuse and overdose could lead to serious health issues," the news proximately $3,000. release points out. "Parents are urged to monOther suspects met with an undercover detec- itor their children's online activities." tive in the 1000 block of North Tamiami Trail, Those arrested follow: where another subject was also involved in the transaction, the report continues. Follow- • Devon M. Ellis, 23, of 7217 Alderwood Drive, Sarasota, who was charged with ing the transaction, "the subjects were arrestConspiracy to Traffic in MDMA. ed without incident," it adds. Another suspect on the scene was also arrested on an unrelat- • Travis J. Pipes, 24, of Bradenton, who ed warrant, the report notes. was charged with Conspiracy to Traffic in MDMA. "The crystalline form of MDMA is part of a new trend of 'designer' or 'club drug' popular • Kirk A. Leach, 21, of 704 64th Ave. East, Brawith teenagers and young adults," the news denton, who had an outstanding warrant for Driving While License Suspended. % release points out. "Some forms of this drug Travis Pipes/Contributed photo Devon Ellis/Contributed photo Kirk Leach/Contributed photo