Venice Man Charged with Drug Trafficking

NEWS RELEASE #: 16-117

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office working in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations, arrested a 32-year-old man after connecting him with a package of drugs shipped to Venice from Hong Kong.

Investigators intercepted the package at JFK International Airport and discovered more than a kilogram of Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL), a Schedule 1 controlled substance, inside. Further investigation revealed while the package was addressed to a Venice Pack and Ship, it was intended for pick-up by Francis Poling, DOB 09/06/83, of 236 S. Grove Street. Poling admitted to receiving multiple packages of unlawful substances from a source in China and using steroids for personal use. A search warrant executed on his home yielded additional packaging and substances believed to have been sent from overseas.

Detectives charged Poling with Trafficking in Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) and Violation of Probation. Poling's history includes nine prior arrests in Sarasota County, several for drug possession. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending. Poling remains in custody at the Sarasota County Jail without bond.
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