Police: Sarasota Man Ran Large-Scale Marijuana Operation From His Home

A 66-year-old Sarasota man faces a drug charge, after police allege that he ran a large-scale retail marijuana operation that involved receiving weekly deliveries of high-grade cannabis at his home that he repackaged into smaller quantities and sold at a profit.

Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino held a press conference Monday, May 6, to announce the arrest of Anthony Snead, in connection to a six-month undercover operation. He was charged with possession of  cannabis with intent to sell.

Also arrested was 38-year-old Andy M. Charlton, charged with possession of cannabis with intent to sell and transportation of drug paraphernalia. 

In an investigation code-named Operation Hammerhead, DiPino said that detectives discovered that Snead was involved in a large scale marijuana sales operation based from his residence at 635 A Audubon Place.

She said that detectives started investigating Snead, after receiving an anonymous complaint about illegal drug sales in area nightclubs that led to the suspect and his illegal home operation. 

According to police, on April 23, detectives intercepted the delivery of five pounds of marijuana to Snead's home and then executed a search warrant on his residence. 

According to a press statement from police, detectives recovered the five-pound delivery, packaged in vacuum sealed bags from previous deliveries:

"These bags were cut open and had the names of various marijuana strands written on them. Detectives were able to determine that Snead has been receiving five pound marijuana deliveries approximately once a week for the past couple of years."

Detectives allege that the high-grade marijuana costs Snead $5,000 per pound.

Detectives estimate that Snead paid approximately $780,000 to $1 million per year for the cannabis, which he then resold for more money.

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