Two men have been arrested and 116.6 grams of synthetic cannabinoids, also known as spice, and cash have been confiscated after an arrest of two men at a local park in the City of Sarasota.

On Thursday, August 5, 2021, officers with the Sarasota Police Department Community Action Team and Narcotics Unit, conducted an undercover operation targeting street-level narcotics after a tip was received by officers at Selby Five Points Park.  During the operation, Thomas Emery, 43, of Venice, and David Barber, 39, of Sarasota, were arrested.

Undercover officers observed Emery give Barber several baggies of suspected narcotics.  Community Action Team officers arrived and detained Barber and Emery for further investigation. 

Officers found $52.00 in cash and 99.5 grams of spice on Emery.  The spice was found in 70 individual small clear bags and one gallon-sized clear bag.  Officers found $10.00 in cash 17.1 grams of spice on Barber.  The spice was found in 18 individual small clear bags.  Officers performed a presumptive field test on the substances which yielded positive results for spice.

According to www.drugabuse.gov, synthetic cannabinoids are human-made mind-altering chemicals that are either sprayed on dried, shredded plant material so they can be smoked or sold as liquids to be vaporized and inhaled in e-cigarettes and other devices.  Synthetic cannabinoids can cause extreme anxiety, confusion, paranoia, and/or hallucinations.  People taken to emergency rooms have shown severe effects including rapid heart rate, violent behavior, and suicidal thoughts.

Emery is facing charges of Sale/Possession with Intent of Controlled Substance within 1000’ of a park (felony) and Delivery of Controlled Substance within 1000’ of a park (felony).  Barber is facing charges of Sale/Possession with Intent of Controlled Substance within 1000’ of a park (felony).

Emery and Barber were arrested and transported to the Sarasota County Jail without incident.  Booking photos can be found on the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office website at https://www.sarasotasheriff.org/arrest-reports/index.php

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