2 Teens Charged For Cocaine Trafficking

Two Sarasota teenagers are facing cocaine trafficking and other drug charges from the Sarasota Police Department following their arrest at a traffic stop Wednesday morning.

Carmen Merideth, 18 and Christina Richer, 19, both of 1670 Laurel St. Unit 203, face the following charges, accoring to police:

• Felony cocaine trafficking

• Felony possession of marijuana with intent to sell/distribute

• Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia

Police stopped the car the two were in at 600 N. Washington Blvd., at 3:23 a.m. for having a license plate attached not belonging to the car they were in, according to the probable cause affidavit.

When Officers Vanik and Halpin smelled a "distinct odor of what they beleived to be marijuana" coming from the car, detectives were called in to search the car, according to the affidavit.

During the search police reported they seized:

• 89.8 grams of cocaine

• 246 grams of marijuana

• $18,437 in cash

Richer denied knowledge of the drugs and cash seized, according to the affidavit, but "she did admit to purchasing the vehicle and placing all the personal belongings in the car after removing them from her apartment earlier in the evening."

Meridith told investigators he owned the drugs and cash and "he spoke in detail how he obtains and sells narcotics as well as how much money he makes doing this," according to the affidavit.

Detective Vollmer and Detective Sergeant Halsey then searched the apartment and, according to the affidavit, found:

• three glass smoking pipes

• two electronic scales to weigh narcotics

• one herb grinder with loose marijuana inside

• small purse containing "multiple rounds of ammunition"

Meridith is booked in Sarasota County Jail where he has a $22,720 bond, and Richer is booked at the county jail on $23,720 bond. 

Richer also faces a carrying a concealed weapon charge, according to her inmate charge report on the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office website.