Kilogram Cocaine Trafficker Arrested In Manatee Found Guilty: DOJ

Bradenton FL

17 February, 2022

8:50 AM

Description

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — A Port St. Lucie man arrested in Manatee County was found guilty Tuesday of possessing 500 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Damian Sierra, 43, faces a minimum mandatory penalty of five years in federal prison and could serve up to 40 years behind bars, according to a Department of Justice news release. He was indicted on Jan. 20 and a sentencing date hasn't been set yet. Agents surveilling Sierra watched him drive to a location in Manatee County, get out of his car with a Christmas gift bag and meet with another person. After he left, a Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputy pulled him over for a window tint violation, the DOJ said. Investigators found the gift bag containing a kilogram of cocaine wrapped in tape, personal items belonging to Sierra and a drug ledger, the DOJ said. At the time of the incident, the drugs found with Sierra had a wholesale value of about $40,000.