Crime & Safety
Ex-Pharmacy Owner Sought by Authorities
Ajay Patel is wanted in connected to a drug trafficking operation, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Manatee and Sarasota County authorities, working with the state, are seeking a former pharmacy store owner wanted since May 2012 in connection to a drug trafficking operation.
Investigators accuse Ajay Patel of filling prescriptions for Oxycodone for a drug trafficking operation. Patel operated pharmacies on Longboat Key, Parrish and Bradenton.
The Parrish pharmacy is the only one that is still open.
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Investiators say that Patel may have fled the country. There have been three other arrests in connection to the investigation.
Anyone who may have information about Patel is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office, 941-747-3011, ext. 2560.
Find out what's happening in Bradentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The investigation is also being handled by Statewide Prosecutor's Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Sheriff's Departments for Osceola and Sarasota counties and Sarasota Police.
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Correction: This version corrects that the Manatee County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case.
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