Undercover Drug Investigations Yield Trafficking  Amounts of MDMA, LSD

NEWS RELEASE 18-122 - JUNE 29, 2018
GRAPHIC

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested five people on drug charges following two undercover drug investigations that yielded trafficking amounts of MDMA, LSD, and prescription pills.

After developing information that a package containing MDMA would be delivered June 20 to a home in the 2700 block of Galleon Drive in Sarasota, detectives began surveillance in the area. Once the package was delivered, detectives executed a search warrant on the home which revealed more than 1,000 MDMA pills. Through investigation, detectives identified Steven Purcell, DOB 03/26/88, as the man responsible for having the package delivered. When Purcell retrieved the package, he and passenger Derek Oelschlager, DOB 05/14/90, were taken into custody.

Detectives conducted a subsequent investigation June 27 into another controlled delivery of MDMA scheduled to be delivered to a home in the 3200 block of Hart Way in Sarasota. Upon execution of a search warrant, detectives recovered nearly 2,000 MDMA pills, 40 Xanax pills, LSD, and $5,300 in cash. Through investigation, detectives identified Richard Barclay, DOB 09/22/92, as the man responsible for having the package delivered. As Barclay was taken into custody, detectives also arrested his roommates Joshua Weber, DOB 05/15/93, and Neolani Zwiercan, DOB 12/17/96.

Purcell and Oelschlager are both charged with a single count of Trafficking in MDMA. Purcell was released Wednesday on $100,000 bond. Oelschlager remains in custody on $100,000 bond.

Barclay is charged with a single count of Trafficking in MDMA and was released Thursday on $30,000 bond. Weber faces charges of Trafficking in LSD, Trafficking in MDMA, and Possession of Alprazolam. He remains in custody today on $31,500 bond. Zwiercan is charged with a single count of Possession of Alprazolam and was released Wednesday on $1,500 bond

The total estimated street value of the seized drugs amounts to more than $45,000. Both investigations were conducted in partnership with officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the Postal Inspector’s Office.