On May 19, 2024, LakelandPD officers received anonymous information from a concerned citizen about an individual selling illegal narcotics in the 800 block of North New York Avenue. Patrol officers arrived in the area around 10:15 a.m. and saw Tony McNeal nearby matching the description given. When they attempted to talk with McNeal, they noticed a bulge in his pocket and a plastic baggie sticking out. While speaking with McNeal about the bulge, he placed his hand into his pocket and officers ordered McNeal to take his hand out. When he removed his hand, he was clutching a bag of illegal narcotics which officers immediately recognized and took him into custody.
The narcotics found on McNeal were examined to find he was in possession of baggie containing 26.67 grams of Fentanyl laced Cocaine, a second baggie containing 3.17 grams of Fentanyl, and 1.82 grams of marijuana. The area of arrest was in the vicinity of North Lake Wire Park, therefore, McNeal was charged with Trafficking in Fentanyl (F1), Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell within 1000 feet of a Park (F1), Possession of Cannabis (M1), Tampering with Physical Evidence (F3), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1) and Resisting Without Violence (M1).
LakelandPD is grateful to citizens who contact us with actionable information which can help us make this community safer, especially from the deadly Fentanyl drug. It is always our officers’ mission to protect the citizen of Lakeland.