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During the stop, an SCSO canine alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Deputies searched the car and found more than 200 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded .38 caliber revolver, and a digital scale. Alvardo later admitted to being a member of the Sur 13 gang (SX3). He also admitted to having fired the revolver earlier on June 15, 2010, because he thought someone might be following him and trying to steal his drugs. Subsequent investigation revealed that Alvardo was a convicted felon.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Southwest Florida Violent Crimes Task Force;the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.
Thank you so much for this post, I’d just like to say that we can arrest those who are selling and bringing the drugs into our country but there is still a bigger issue. If people want something bad enough they are going to find a way to get it. We have to find a way to stop the demand…Honesty I don’t see that happening any time soon!
I don’t understand why the Federal Bureau of Investigation was involved in this case. It seems to me that Florida authorities should have been able to handle it from the onset. Was the FBI involved because of the admitted gang activity, and since when does the FBI handle that sort of thing in a major city like Sarasota?
Good story and set up well, the pictures you included helped illustrate how Alvardo and his group live. However, we shouldn’t forget that people like this are filling a public demand. If you want to stop drug trafficking, arresting guys like this isn’t going to do it. You have to stop the demand.