Trap door discovered at Charlotte County home in narcotics bust

Reporter: Erika Jackson Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
A trap door was discovered during a drug bust at a Charlottoe County home along Lime Drive near U.S. 41 Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019. Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

On Wednesday, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrested five suspects in a narcotics bust that followed a lengthy investigation.

Detectives arrested the suspects at a home along the 15000 block of Lime Drive south of Punta Gorda, where CCSO used a search warrant at the home and found narcotics, drug paraphernalia and weapons.

Detectives also discovered a trap door at the home. They say it provided suspects with a crawl-space exit from the home.

Neighbors along Lime Drive woke up to find their street crowded with law enforcement officers Wednesday. Like something out of a movie, they learned about the drug bust at a home with an escape route near them.

“I was flabbergasted because I was like how? In a trailer? Really?” neighbor Tammy Horner said.

Many neighbors told us the arrests took a weight off their shoulders. They were happy to see the arrests made in their neighborhood.

“Police are doing a good job,” neighbor Richard Holbern said. “They’re trying to do their best to clean up the mess, but, you know, it will take them time.”

Deputies told us the illegal activity operated in the home was not a cheap setup. In addition to the trap door, investigators found cameras outside the home. The sheriff’s office will look at all the recordings to support the drug charges the five suspects face.

Narcotics and drug paraphernalia discovered at a Charlotte County home. Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

Suspects arrested and the charges they face:

  • Dustin T. Badke, 28
    Possession of Drug paraphernalia
  • Nicholas M. Bores, 26
    Possession of Methamphetamine
    Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
    Resisting without violence
  • Peggy D. Ford, 37
    Possession of Methamphetamine
    Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
    Possession of Ammunition by Convicted Felon
  • Gregory J. Bores, 54
    Possession of Methamphetamine
    Possession of Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)
    Possession of Controlled Substance (Buprenorphine Hydrochloride & Nalaxone Hydrochloride)
    Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
    Resisting without violence
  • Heather C. Vernacatola, 51
    Possession of Methamphetamine
    Possession of Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)
    Possession of Controlled Substance (Buprenorphine Hydrochloride & Nalaxone Hydrochloride)
    Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
    Resisting without violence

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