by CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/23/09
Taco Bell manager Paul Price - who, according to lawyers, intended to sue the city of Cape Coral after he was shot during a police stakeout at the fast-food restaurant Feb. 26, 2008 - was arrested for selling marijuana at the same store, according to Lee County Sheriff's officials.
Price's home was raided by sheriff's detectives Wednesday following a monthlong undercover investigation by Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Division officers. During the investigation, Price reportedly sold marijuana to undercover detectives while working as a manager at the Taco Bell at 11 Hancock Bridge Parkway.
Management at the Taco Bell declined comment to the Cape Coral Daily Breeze Wednesday evening regarding Price's arrest.
As a result of the investigation and subsequent raid of his home at 812 S.W. Sixth Ave., detectives charged Price with four counts of selling marijuana, four counts of possession of marijuana over 20 grams, three counts of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, one count of possession with intent to sell or deliver, and eight counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jail records indicate Price remained in the Lee County Jail Wednesday evening on a combined $40,000 bond.
According to reports, Price sold marijuana to undercover detectives on four separate occasions.
On March 13, detectives reported meeting with Price in the parking lot of the Taco Bell store, when Price sold them $350 worth of marijuana and then entered the building to begin his shift at work.
Detectives met with Price on three other occasions, each time purchasing an ounce of marijuana in exchange for $350, reports state.
Upon receiving a search warrant Wednesday, police raided Price's home and discovered approximately 149.4 grams of marijuana and eight paraphernalia items containing marijuana residue, officials said.
Price was arrested along with Kevin Golding, 28, and Christine Murphy, 38, who also live at the home and were charged with drug possession, reports state.
Lawyers at Lusk, Drasites, Talisano & Smith, who represent Price, could not be reached by telephone Wednesday after regular office hours to comment on the incident.
City and Cape police spokesperson Connie Barron said Price's arrest is being handled through the Lee County Sheriff's Office, and is a separate incident from any legal action pending between Price and the city.
"For now it would not be appropriate for us to make any comment with regard to Mr. Price, due to his impending legal suit," she said.
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