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Reverse cocaine operation results in arrest in Lehigh

By Staff | Jan 24, 2009

Undercover deputies working a reverse sting operation arrested a Lehigh Acres man Friday after investigators say he bought three counterfeit kilograms of cocaine from the deputies.

The focus of the operation conducted by members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division Narcotics Unit was for an undercover detective to sell the counterfeit cocaine to an identified subject named Shradhanand Bhagwandin, 40.

Bhagwandin negotiated the purchase with detectives throughout the day Friday, according to authorities who added Bhagwandin agreed to purchase the kilograms of cocaine for $25,000 each.

Bhagwandin arrived at an agreed-upon transaction location and provided an undercover detective with $25,000 and requested that the detective give him the other two kilograms of cocaine for which he would pay an additional $50,000 within a two-week period, investigators said. Detectives agreed to this offer and Bhagwandin produced $25,00 dollars and gave it to the detective for the counterfeit kilograms of cocaine. Detectives supplied Bhagwandin with counterfeit cocaine at this time.

Bhagwandin left and was immediately taken into custody by other members of the Narcotics Unit and Highway Parcel Team. Bhagwandin was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with attempt to traffic cocaine and conspiracy to traffic cocaine. He was then taken to the Lee County Jail for booking procedures.

Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office