Police Seize Gun, Ammo and Crack Cocaine in Punta Gorda Operation

A joint police operation conducted yesterday morning led to the discovery of a firearm, ammunition, and over 46 grams of crack cocaine in Punta Gorda Town. The strategic operation, conducted between 9:30 and 11:30, brought together officers from the SBPG, GI3 PG, and the Quick Response Team (QRT). As part of the operations, the team surveyed leads into one particular individual whose name have surfaced frequently surrounding recent criminal activities in the town, including a recent shooting incident.  Police first conducted a search at the residence on Queen Street after reports were made of shots fired inside the property earlier this week.  While nothing illegal was found inside the home, officers expanded their search to an abandoned lot directly behind the residence.  There, investigators unearthed three bottles buried in the ground, each containing quantities of crack cocaine. Additional searches led to the discovery of a black CZ 9mm pistol, without a serial number, fitted with an extended magazine loaded with three 9mm Luger rounds. Nearby, officers found a smaller magazine containing 10 additional 9mm rounds.  A wider sweep of the area led to the recovery of two more plastic bottles, containing 9 rounds of 9mm hollow point Aguila-brand ammunition and 22 rounds of 9mm full-lead Luger-brand ammunition.  In total, 44 rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered.  Crime scene personnel processed the firearm and ammunition on-site. According to investigators, the weapon is suspected to have been used in the shooting incident on Tuesday night and possibly other recent shootings in Punta Gorda, based on the matching ammunition types and casings previously collected. Officers also observed visible fingerprints on the gun and magazines, which have been lifted as part of forensic analysis.  At the police station, the seized crack cocaine was weighed and sealed as found property which amounted to 46.63 grams of crack cocaine.  All items have been officially deposited as found property as the investigation continues into the activities of the person of interest and others believed to be involved in drug trafficking and recent violence in the area.