[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 09/04/20]
TAVARES, Florida — A man whose listed occupation is “drug dealer” was charged with nearly half a dozen drug offenses when he was picked up on an arrest warrant and his home searched on Aug. 27.
Manocher “Manny” Francis Rafi, 48, was taken into custody on an arrest warrant just before 8:45 a.m. and when Tavares Police Department searched his home at 909 Maplewood Street, they found a cache of drugs in a safe, including 58 grams of methamphetamine, 28 grams of marijuana and 17 bags of cocaine, along with a box of ammunition, according to the arrest affidavit. On a nearby dresser, TPD found a loaded Keltec P32 pistol, a pipe, three scales, an MDMA pill and a Lenovo tablet; bail bond paperwork with Rafi’s name was found in a bedside table.
Rafi was charged with armed trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of MDMA, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held in the Lake County Jail on $146,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
