Police: 22 arrested in Melbourne drug bust

MELBOURNE, Fla. — Twenty-two people were arrested and arrest warrants were issued for 16 others during a three-month-long investigation targeting drug sales, the Melbourne Police Department said Thursday.

Drugs and guns were seized at convenience stores where criminal activity has been condoned, Melbourne police Lt. Cheryl Trainer said.

"These stores have helped create cascading problems of drug sales, drug use, violence and other crimes that have plagued the adjacent neighborhoods," Trainer said.

Police said the investigation focused on the University Food Mart on East University Boulevard near Lipscomb Street, where undercover officers bought drugs more than 25 times.

Two people were injured Aug. 4 in a shooting along that street.

Police said a man was arrested for selling synthetic marijuana at another convenience store

Melbourne police Lt. Scott Mostert said he hopes the operation causes residents to feel safer.

"We're trying to flip that from our citizens being in fear to the criminals being in fear, and getting our businesses to come into compliance," Mostert said.

The city's police chief said there will be more operations to come.

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office, the West Melbourne Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Agency and Florida's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco assisted MPD with the investigation.

Cox Media Group