Pubdate: Wed, 03 Dec 2003
Source: Charlotte Sun Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2003 Sun Coast Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sun-herald.com/newsch.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1708
Author:  Bob Reddy, Englewood Assistant Editor

DRUG BUST NETS FOUR, HUGS FROM NEIGHBORS

Bass Family Members Among Those Arrested

ENGLEWOOD -- People who live along David Place expected a good night's
sleep Tuesday night after months of suspected drug activity came to a
sudden end when Charlotte County Sheriff's officials stormed a home
there earlier that morning.

Neighbor George Campbell said he was reading a newspaper and drinking
a cup of coffee on his front porch as Charlotte County SWAT members
arrived. He cheered as officials delivered the search warrant about
8:30 a.m. to the residents at 1601 David Place.

Four people were arrested during the raid on a variety of drug charges
that were the result of a three-month investigation into activities at
the home.

Among those arrested were Mark Foster Bass, 47, and Mark D. Bass, 17,
the grandson and great-grandson of late prominent resident John Foster
Bass Jr.

Lt. Mark Bala, who commands SWAT, said the investigation started as
the result of tips from worried neighbors and good police work. The
Narcotics Task Force also took part in the raid and investigation,
along with the Traffic and Crimes Unit.

"Everything went well," Bala said. "We are very happy with the results
of this operation. We still have more work to do."

Deputies located a small quantity of several different types of drugs,
including crack cocaine, powder cocaine, marijuana and various
prescription drugs, Bala said.

Investigators also found numerous weapons of various types, as well as
$2,210 in cash.

The Basses and Amy M. Lehan, 20, were each charged with possession of
a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug
paraphernalia.

David J. Grooter, 35, also of Englewood, was arrested at the home on a
warrant for violation of probation.

Bala said the occupants of the home refused to open the door to the
armed and armored SWAT team members, who knocked on the front door and
announced their presence, so the door was forced open.

"There was a loud 'bang' when they went in, which scared me a little
bit, but it was very professional to see," Campbell said.

Bala said there was no physical resistance from the people inside and
the entire operation was over in a few minutes.

"Lots of planning went into this, because when you are serving a
warrant related to drugs, you never know what you are going to face,"
Bala said.

The serving of the warrant was also timed to coincide with the street
being clear of children waiting for the school bus.

"This street is usually full of children, and we needed to take that
into consideration before moving in," Bala said.

Campbell said he was impressed with the show of force.

"It seems they weren't going to mess around with those folks," he
said.

Neighbors thanked the deputies, who ended months of what was widely
believed to be drug activity at the home.

"No one has that many friends or relatives," Campbell said. "I had to
go shake the hands of some of these guys because they have lifted a
dark cloud off this neighborhood."

Bala said deputies had been working for months to build a case on what
was allegedly happening at the house and pointed to the arrest of the
four as evidence the hard work was worth the effort, which included
surveillance of the home.

Bala said one neighbor hugged him for his efforts.

Other neighbors spoke of the continuous activity at the home and
remain afraid of retribution for speaking out.

"This has been so bad since the summer," Campbell said. "Late Saturday
night there was screaming and a fist-fight in the street, and me and
my wife were worried there would be a shooting or something.

"I don't think many of the people who live on this street slept well
that night or have slept well since these people moved in and set up
shop. We will all sleep well tonight."

Bala said the investigation into the activities at the house will
continue beyond the arrests Tuesday, and additional charges are possible.

In 1931, John Foster Bass Jr. started the Bass Biological Laboratory
and Zoological Research Supply Co., making it the oldest marine lab on
Florida's mainland. The property, located on New Point Comfort Road,
sits on the bank of Gottfried Creek. Prior to the creation of the Bass
lab, the Carnegie Institute ran a seasonal marine lab at Fort
Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.

Bass died in 1939, and the laboratory continued until
1944.
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