Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/348392
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested a store clerk for the second time in a little more than a month after learning he was continuing to sell synthetic drugs, the office has announced. Undercover detectives made two controlled buys from Tipu Ali in June and executed a search warrant on July 9 at Beneva Tobacco & Beer, located at 1295 Beneva Road in Sarasota, a news release says. Members of the Special Investigations Section found seven 10-gram bags of AK-47 in a gun box under the counter and one bag of Angry Birds hidden behind a cigarette sign, the release notes. "Both are synthetic cannabinoids, a controlled substance that is also banned in Sarasota County," it adds. Ali, 27, of 1050 Capri Isles Blvd., Apt. P303, Venice, was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Synthetic Cannabinoids, Violation of County Ordinance and Possession of Cocaine. During a search of his vehicle, the release continues, detectives also found a small baggie of cocaine behind the rear built-in child seat. At the time of Ali's arrest on May 28, detec- tives found more than 80 packages of the synthetic cannabinoid sold as "OMG" and seized $18,000 in cash, the release says. % CLERK ARRESTED A SECOND TIME FOR SELLING SYNTHETIC DRUGS Tipu Ali/Contributed photo Deputy Will Stone of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and Lt. Marie Clark of the Florida State University Police Department, the release notes. After the Commission's assessors complete their review, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to receive accredited status, the release adds. "It is important to note that in addition to CFA accreditation of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, the Sarasota County Jail is accredited by the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission (FCAC), and Public Safety Communications is accred- ited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA) for law enforce- ment dispatch and the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED) for medical and fire communications, the release points out. In 1996, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office was the first law enforcement agency in Florida to become fully accredited by the CFA, the release notes. Sarasota News Leader July 18, 2014 Page 84