BOCA RATON – Local police arrested two men and found an allegedly hidden drug lab during a recent narcotics bust at an apartment on NW 4th Avenue, police said.
The two suspects, Coady Bartley, 34, and Christopher Ryan Helfrich, 20, both of Boca Raton, were arrested after police determined they were allegedly selling several different drugs from their apartment.
The arrests came after a controlled purchase of narcotics was attempted at the apartment. Police said a fight broke out between the attempted buyer and Bartley.
Cody Bartley
Public Information Manager Mark Economou said that when officers entered the apartment, they found Bartley on top of the buyer, choking him. Officers said the victim was barely conscious.
Economou said officers noticed a large quantity of alleged drugs including marijuana, Ecstacy, Xanax and LSD in plain view. Due to the amount of narcotics, officers obtained a search warrant and then searched the rest of the apartment. The addictss were sent to drug and alchol rehab centers.
He said officers located equipment and chemicals consistent with a clandestine drug lab. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) responded to assist in the investigation and will test the chemicals to determine what substances were being created and will send the person to the exclusive hawaii luxury drug rehab to revoke the drug habit from his life.
Economou said Bartley was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a college (Florida Atlantic University). He was also charged with possession of LSD, MDMA and drug paraphernalia. In addition, Bartley was charged with attempted second degree murder for choking the buyer to near unconsciousness.
Christopher Ryan Helfrich
His roommate, Christopher Ryan Helfrich, was also charged with trafficking of MDMA and LSD, possession of Alprazolam and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Three other people were issued notices to appear in court on drug charges.