Three people were arrested after detectives executed search warrants in two Vero Beach homes recovering recovered drugs, cash and two cars, according to Indian River County Sheriff's Office.
Detectives searched the home of 33-year-old Benigno Morales Ramos and 32-year-old Nayeli Cruz at 1880 36th Avenue in Vero Beach early Thursday morning.
Officials recovered 71.5 grams of cocaine, 1,123 grams of an unidentified substance, $11,763 in drug money, a 2007 Chevy Tahoe and a 2010 Mazda, both used during drug transactions with Ramos.
According to police, the unidentified substance will be tested at the Indian River Crime Laboratory, but is believed to be a synthetic drug used in combination with powder cocaine.
Ramos was arrested on warrants for three counts of sale and possession of cocaine and a probable cause charge of trafficking cocaine. He is being held at the Indian River County Jail on $110,000.00 bond, with a detainer for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to his legal status in the United States, officials say.
Cruz was arrested on a warrant for felony habitual driving on a suspended license. She was released on $5,000.00 bond.
Another man, 57-year-old George Whitfield, was arrested late Friday night, after detectives executed a search warrant at 5025 32nd Court in Vero Beach.
According to Indian River County Sheriff's Office, detectives located and seized 104.5 grams of cocaine, 16.8 grams of marijuana, $1,719.00 in drug money, and drug paraphernalia at the home.
Whitfield remains in the Indian River County Jail without bond. At the time of Friday's arrest, Whitfield was out on bond from an October 2015 arrest by Indian River County Detectives for sale and possession of cocaine.
Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar stated, "These two cases show our commitment to keep our community safe and put drug traffickers behind bars where they belong. Of the two trafficking arrests, one was in the United States illegally and the other was out on bond for previous drug sales. We remain committed to eradicating our streets of those who refuse to obey the law."
