DEA: Major drug distributor arrested in Cocoa; $40K in heroin recovered

COCOA, Fla. — A man suspected of being a major heroin distributor in Brevard County has been indicted on federal charges.

Agents with the Drug Enforcement Agency said they caught Damion Carder red-handed at his Pomolo Street home in Cocoa, carrying weapons and more than $40,000 worth of heroin.

Investigators said Carder was also stashing weapons and more than 150 rounds of ammunition into a car while his two children were inside.

Witness Vincent Drake said an armored truck smashed through the gate and agents surrounded the home.

"Yeah, they had their guns drawn, you know. They always do that," Drake said. "And later on, they brung him out handcuffed."

Undercover agents said they bought heroin at the home in July and later returned with a warrant.

Agents got a warrant, but while they were waiting to serve the warrant, they said Carder walked out with a rifle and handgun and put the weapons and the ammunition inside the trunk of his girlfriend's car.

When investigators confronted him, they said they found 200 grams of heroin in his truck.

According to investigators, Carder admitted selling the drugs for $200 to $250 a gram, putting the value of his stash at more than $40,000.

While some neighbors told Channel 9 they suspected drug activity, Drake said Carder just seemed like a nice guy.

"It was surprising to see it on our street, know what I mean?" he said. "We never had it like that in our neighborhood."

Carder, Channel 9 learned, wasn't even supposed to have weapons since he's a convicted felon. He's set to be arraigned on the new charges next week.

WFTV