14-Time Felon Faces Drug Charges After Search Of Sarasota Home: Police

SARASOTA, FL — A 58-year-old Sarasota man was arrested after police found more than 100 grams of cocaine and other controlled substances during a narcotics search of his home, authorities said.

Lashay A. Smith was arrested Sept. 2 following the execution of a search warrant at a home in the 3100 block of Old Bradenton Road around 5 a.m., the Sarasota Police Department said in a news release.

Detectives said an anonymous tip led them to the home. Smith was the only person inside when officers conducted the search.

Inside a bedroom, detectives found 45.5 grams of crack cocaine, 56.1 grams of powder cocaine, 10 morphine sulfate pills, 18 buprenorphine-naloxone tablets and $793 in cash, police said.

Officers also found clear sandwich and Ziploc-style bags, scales with cocaine residue and razors with cocaine residue throughout the home. These items are commonly associated with portioning, packaging and selling cocaine, police said.

Smith was taken to the Sarasota County Jail and later released on $26,000 bond.

He faces charges of trafficking in cocaine, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, keeping or maintaining a dwelling for using a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said Smith has 14 prior felony convictions, including convictions involving weapons, burglary, drug sales, drug possession and driving with a suspended license.

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