Members of a special drug enforcement strike team recently nabbed an Ocala man in connection with the sale of illegal drugs.
Agents with the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team had received information that 39-year-old Jose Guadalupe Perez Castro had been selling large quantities of crystal methamphetamine and other narcotics. As a result, they launched a long-term investigation that culminated Thursday when they served a search warrant at Castro’s residence at 7200 N.W. 5th Lane, a report states.
A search of the residence revealed 982 grams of crystal meth, 178.5 grams of Fentanyl, 36 grams of powder cocaine, 19 grams of MDMA, 50.5 grams of Oxycodone and one Hydrocodone and seven Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride pills (New Legend Drugs). Agents also found three firearms – two of which were located in the same room as the narcotics – and seized more than $22,000 in cash.
After being read his rights, Castro allegedly confessed to the narcotics and firearms. He was transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with operating a motor vehicle with no valid driver’s license, armed trafficking in crystal methamphetamine, armed trafficking in Fentanyl, armed trafficking in cocaine, armed trafficking in MDMA, armed trafficking in a controlled substance (Oxycodone), possession of a controlled substance (Hydrocodone), possession of a New Legend Drug (Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride), possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held on $312,500 bond and is due court Sept. 22 and Oct. 6
UDEST is an initiative of the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. It is comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement from the Ocala Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Homeland Security.