Two Cape men facing multiple drug-related charges
Two Cape Coral men were arrested following what police say was a months-long investigation, resulting in “hundreds of pounds of drugs,” guns, and cash seized.
Julian Garton-Miulli, 28, and Sean Balke, 52, were arrested and charged after a warrant was executed on Garton-Miulli’s home at 540 SE 6th Place on Wednesday.
Cape Coral Police Department officials state that during the search, detectives found: four handguns, an AR pistol, a rifle, two shotguns, over $5,600 in cash, six silver bars, multiple varieties of pills and substances, amphetamines, mushrooms, marijuana, THC gummies and vape pens, MDMA, and a sale.
“The Cape Coral Police Department’s Narcotics Unit launched an investigation into (Garton-Miulli) after receiving a tip that Garton-Miulli is a distributor of MDMA and THC/Marijuana products within Cape Coral,” a CCPD release states. “During this portion of the investigation, detectives were able to discover that Garton-Miulli sold over 28 grams of MDMA from his residence.”
Prior to the Oct. 1 executed warrant, police officials stated that in August, detectives established that Garton-Miulli was engaged in MDMA trafficking; he was caught selling 22 grams of MDMA.
Garton-Miulli has been charged with trafficking in MDMA (22 grams and over 28 grams), and four charges of possession of a controlled substance (MAMA, amphetamine, marijuana, mushrooms/psilocybin).
“Based on the previous investigation, Narcotics Detectives, with the assistance of the Cape Coral Police Department’s SWAT team, executed a residential search warrant at another location: 2720 Beach Parkway W in Cape Coral,” CCPD’s release stated, noting that it was Balke’s residence.
Police officials stated that detectives recovered “large amounts of narcotics, firearms, cash, and paraphernalia throughout the residence,” including: cocaine, MAMA, amphetamines/meth, marijuana, THC products, psilocybin mushrooms, firearms, cash, drug paraphernalia, grow equipment, and a safe.
Balke has been charged with: ownership, lease, rental or possession for trafficking or manufacturing a controlled substance; trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in amphetamine, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell (marijuana), trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids, possession of a controlled substance (psilocybin mushroom), and possession of drug paraphernalia/equipment used to manufacture narcotics.
As of Thursday afternoon, Garton-Miulli remained in custody at Lee County Jail being held on an $80,000 bond.
Balke was also still in custody at Lee County Jail on Thursday afternoon. His bond had not yet been set.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com