Community Concerns Lead To Tampa Drug Busts, Gun Confiscations

TAMPA, FL — Following up on community concerns regarding an increase in drug activity, Tampa police began a narcotics investigation.

On Thursday, Tampa police obtained a court-ordered search warrant for 3016 N Sanchez St. and found a number of drugs and weapons including 1 kilogram of cocaine, 1,246 grams of cocaine, 205.9 grams of methamphetamine, 104 grams of fentanyl, 96 grams of heroin, 9.2 pounds of marijuana, 14 oxycodone pills along with a silver Taurus .357 revolver, a semiautomatic Ruger .380, a Rossi .357 revolver, a semiautomatic Sig Sauer .45 caliber and four 9mm handguns.

Additionally, nearly $40,000 was seized during the operation.

"This is another example of our department's dedication to quickly acting on community concerns and working to make our community safer," said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "We are proud that this committed investigation has removed dangerous drugs and illegally possessed guns from our streets, especially near schools where our children could have been exposed to them."

Cornelius Washington, 45, was arrested and charged with armed trafficking in cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school.

Melvin Lee Gay, 45, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of drug paraphernalia.