INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Two suspected drug houses in Gifford were shuttered after authorities concluded their investigation and seized drugs and gun Thursday night.
The search warrants were executed at 3115 43rd Street and 4290 32nd Avenue in Gifford.
“Last night, our deputies braved the dangers of two drug houses to take a loaded gun and drugs off the streets,” said Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar. “We recovered an as yet unidentified substance that may be Flakka. We will continue to focus our efforts on arresting those who think they can sell drugs and poison the youth of our community.”
Cornelius Hield, 36, of Gifford was arrested as a result of the search and charged with possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He is currently being held at the Indian River County Jail in lieu of $6,000 bond.
A 17-year-old was arrested and charged with resisting without violence. Detectives anticipate more arrests as a result of this investigation.
The Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Team made entry to the residences due to the known threat of weapons. A wooden barricade was placed in front of the door to one of the residences as a means to delay law enforcement entry, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives located more than 23 grams of crack cocaine, 27 grams of marijuana, 14 hydromorphone pills and 58 grams of an unidentified substance. Authorities also recovered a loaded .380 caliber Taurus handgun.