Man with 10 ounces of cocaine arrested

A 49-year-old Stock Island man charged with cocaine trafficking was arrested Friday night after he tried to flee from deputies.

William Anthony Roberts was also charged with resisting arrest.

The Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit received information that Roberts — whom they had been investigating — was driving southbound on U.S. 1 Friday night. Deputy Brandon Warren spotted and stopped a southbound silver Volvo at 9:41 p.m. for following too closely on U.S. 1 near Mile Marker 18 at 9:41 p.m. The only occupant was the driver, identified as Roberts. Special Operations Unit detectives, Deputy Anthony Lopez and a Key West Police K9 Unit then arrived on scene as well. Roberts attempted to run away from Deputy Warren while attempting to gain entry to the Volvo. A brief struggle ensued between Deputy Warren and Roberts. Roberts then ran toward the front of the Volvo  and threw something on the ground. Deputy Lopez used his Taser to detain Roberts without further incident quickly thereafter.

A black sock was found near where Roberts threw something. A white, powdery substance was found inside the sock. The K9 then sniffed the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics.

A search of the Volvo turned up $2,400 in cash in suspected drug profits as well as six cell phones.

The white, powdery substance from the sock field-tested positive for cocaine. The cocaine weighed approximately 10 ounces.

Roberts was taken to jail.

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