SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — Sarasota police released the results of a months-long operation that began in late May after a string of shootings happened within a five-block radius of north Sarasota.
The operation led to 54 arrests, including 95 felony and 41 misdemeanor charges.
Thirty-four illegal guns were recovered by police. Some firearms were seized from juveniles, authorities said.
Along with targeting gun-related crimes, officials also seized the following:
- 950.5 grams of cocaine
- 15.5 grams of fentanyl
- 6 grams of heroin
- 20.1 grams of methamphetamine
- 1,410.4 grams of marijuana
- 18.7 grams of oxycodone
- 104.9 grams of synthetic cannabinoids
- $28,625 in cash
Police said of the 54 people arrested, six were juveniles.
“We are pleading with the community to keep the guns away from these juveniles, by locking up their doors,” Sgt. Robert Morrison said. “If you have a firearm at home, make sure that your children don’t have access to it. If you are going out, make sure you lock your doors on your vehicles because we have seen a crime trend where these guns are being stolen locally and then used in crimes.”