Man Arrested After Deputies Recover Hundreds of Pills Hidden in Gas Tank Compartment


News Release #: 17-124 - MAY 25, 2017


Joseph Williams_3f8874d702d7b33e4bfebefe3b63d427Joseph Williams

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a Venice man on felony drug charges after deputies found nearly 350 Xanax pills and more than 43 grams of marijuana hidden in his friend's car.
 
Deputies first made contact with two men walking near the intersection of Gateway Avenue and Mall Drive in Gulf Gate, just before 2:00 a.m., Wednesday morning. When asked for identification, Joseph Williams, DOB 03/19/98, reached into his pocket, allowing a small baggie of pills to fall out. Williams admitted to deputies that the pills were Xanax and were not prescribed to him. The other individual told deputies that more drugs, belonging to Williams, would be found inside his vehicle. Upon search of the car, deputies found 93 Xanax pills, more than 43 grams of marijuana, and a scale, on the floorboard near the front passenger seat. As deputies continued their search, they recovered 250 additional Xanax pills hidden in the gas-tank compartment. Williams was immediately arrested and booked into the Sarasota County jail.
Williams, of 1050 Capri Island, is charged with Possession of Alprazolam with Intent to Sell, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell and Possession of Narcotic Equipment. He was released Wednesday on $3,500 bond.

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