WFTV.com News 

Story

'Habitat' Home Becomes Drug Haven

Only Eyewitness News was on the scene when as Kissimmee police moved in to make a drug bust at a home built by Habitat for Humanity.

One of the women arrested at the home is an employee of the Osceola County school district.

Police say that is just one of the several disturbing parts of this story. Eyewitness News also learned that a baby was living inside the home that police raided. Investigators said they found several bags of marijuana stuffed into a can of baby formula. Police collected crack-cocaine, marijuana, and $3,000 cash.


AT THE SCENE: SWAT Officers Raids Drug House

With guns drawn and helmets and bullet proof vests on, Kissimmee SWAT officers raided the home on McLaren Circle (see map) early Friday morning.

Undercover investigations proved that several people in this home were selling drugs including cocaine and marijuana.

"They shouldn't be selling drugs out of a Habitat for Humanity house. This house was given to her and built by people who believe in a program that she is making a mockery of," said Stacie Miller of the Kissimmee Police Department.

The raid is all part of Kissimmee crackdown on drugs and drug dealers. In total, officers arrested six people and loaded them into the back of a paddy wagon.

The Habitat homeowner and accused drug dealer, Annette Bell, was not home during the raid. Police are still searching for her. Records show Bell is an employee of the Osceola County school district, working as a janitor. Police said Annette knowingly allowed her kids, who lived with her, sell drugs.

Annie Brown is Annette Bell's mother.

"She's been working all her life. She doesn't go out here in the street, she doesn't drink, she doesn't smoke, all she does is work," said Brown.

After seeing the report, Bell telephoned the assignment desk at Channel 9 and said that this was all a lie by police. Kissimmee police said that they are confident Bell was dealing drugs out of the home. Bell did not reveal her location to Channel 9.

"We hit this home three months ago and [we are] back out there again. So we are trying to make a statement as well. They think they're making a statement. We're making a bigger, louder and more powerful statement," said Miller.

Chardae Brown's boyfriend was one of six people arrested.

"No this is not a drug house, not in the house. Coming in and out of the house, 'Oh what you want standing at the door what you want,'" said Brown.

The homeowner may end up losing her home. The decision could be made as early as next week.

Habitat for humanity said they do not monitor families day to day actives.

"If there is documented illegal activity at that residence we would take that under legal council and discuss that with our legal board. We do have a clause in our mortgage that we can take the home back," said Patt Filiponne of Habitat for Humanity.

There is a warrant out for Bell's arrest for keeping a home for the purpose of selling drugs.

The incident is the second time the home has been raided for drugs within the past four months.

OTHER DRUG RAIDS IN SAME NEIGHBORHOOD

On Thursday, during drug raids in the same neighborhood, police uncovered heroin, crack cocaine, illegal pills and marijuana.

Kissimmee Police made several arrests after they searched three homes on Person and Columbia Street.

"I wish I could never did that favor for my friend, I regret doing that favor, now that friend's not even here to help me out," said one arrested suspect.

Thanks to tips and undercover work, officers knew where to look.

Police say they took several hundred of dollars worth of drugs off the streets.
Click Picks
Video Clips
What do you get when you put a man's head on a baby's body and a baby's head on a man's body? It's a 'ManBaby,' possibly the freakiest way to tweak a family photo. View Images ››

Strange News Photos

From brilliant to bizarre, our 99-photo slideshow captures a variety of strange news. Photos are added often. Take A Look!

County-By-County News

Get Hyper-Local On WFTV.com

Visit our County-By-County section for the latest news headlines out of your county. » County-By-County

When you take videos or photos of Central Florida news or weather events, iWitness is your place to upload them. » iWitness

Visit your headquarters for county-by-county news and resources, and a place to share community videos and photos. » 9Central