NORTH PORT: FELON ARRESTED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING, POSSESSING MACHINE GUN

SCSO

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested a convicted felon for Trafficking in Fentanyl and Oxycodone, along with several other felony charges including Possession of a Machine Gun.

Detectives launched their investigation in September 2020 when they learned 25-year-old Jarell Dardy, Jr., was reportedly selling fentanyl from his home located at 12010 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit B, in Warm Mineral Springs. Further investigation revealed Dardy was also utilizing a second residence nearby at 208 San Remo Avenue to distribute additional illicit narcotics. Detectives later learned he was attempting to buy a modified handgun functioning as a fully automatic firearm. On Thursday, Dardy purchased a Glock handgun converted into a machine gun from an undercover agent and was subsequently taken into custody. Working in partnership with ATF, sheriff’s office detectives and Tactical Unit deputies executed search warrants on both residences. They seized more than 63 grams of fentanyl and 21 grams of oxycodone, both trafficking amounts. Detectives also recovered the converted machine gun, along with more than 25 grams of rock cocaine, several baggies of heroin, and a total of $5,265 in U.S. currency.

Dardy has multiple prior felony convictions including Trafficking in Heroin and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell. He was booked into the county correctional facility Thursday on new charges of Trafficking in Fentanyl, Trafficking in Oxycodone, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell, Possession of a Machine Gun, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Dardy remains in custody today without bond.