Miami Beach Police Buy Cocaine Near Fienberg-Fisher School

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Miami Beach police arrested a suspected drug dealer on Friday after an undercover detective purchased cocaine within 325 feet of the Fienberg-Fisher K8 Center. Forty-eight-year-old Alberto Cole of Miami Beach was charged with selling cocaine within close proximity to a school and related offenses. The first of two phony drug buys took place on Jan. 5 at a time when school was not in session.

‪"Mr. Cole has an extensive criminal past to include narcotics trafficking and battery on law enforcement officers," explained Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Beach Police Department in announcing the arrest.

Rodriguez said that police seized 226.6 grams of cocaine and $33,207 in cash. Police said Cole is a suspected supplier of drugs along tourist-favorite Ocean Drive.

According to court documents, the first buy of an ounce of cocaine took place in the 1300 block of Drexel Avenue in close proximity to the school. Undercover police allegedly paid Cole $1,200 for a plastic bag containing the cocaine.

Police set up a second buy of another ounce of cocaine on Jan. 11 around midnight. Police asked to change the location from Drexel Avenue to 7 Street and Jefferson Avenue.

"The defendant retrieved a clear sandwich bag containing a white powdery substance ... from within the front left pocket of his black jean shorts," according to court documents. Police allegedly then paid Cole another $1,200. "The defendant then walked away and entered his vehicle."

Court documents said that Cole was driving a brand new 2018 black Cadillac XTS.

Miami Beach police seized 226.6 grams of cocaine with a street value of $33,207 in the arrest.Photo courtesy Miami Beach Police Department.