Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Rickie Jerome West, 53, was arrested yesterday on three drug charges after officers reported that he conducted a “hand-to-hand” drug sale near Lynch Park.
At 1:52 p.m. yesterday, Gainesville Police Department Officers were conducting an increased patrol at 400 S. Main Street because of recent complaints about open-air drug sales in that area, and an officer reportedly saw West conducting a “hand-to-hand” transaction.
The officer made contact with West, who reportedly said he had “tunchi” in his backpack; “tunchi” is a synthetic cannabinoid. The green leafy substance weighed 0.12 grams.
A search of West’s backpack reportedly produced two prescription pill bottles that were not prescribed to him; one contained 10 pills of lorazepam (Ativan), and the other contained 36 pills of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride (Focalin).
West reportedly said at first that the pills belonged to a friend. Post Miranda, he reportedly said that the green leafy substance was “tunchi” and that he found the pills dumpster diving.