Drug bust led to a gunfight outside Bass Pro Shop
Two men involved in a $64,000 cocaine deal got into a gunfight with the cops Friday outside a Bass Pro Shop, authorities say.
The shootout broke out during a federal sting operation against the two suspects outside the store in Dania Beach. Horvin McKenzie and David Ventura are both facing multiple felony charges after Ventura opened fire at law enforcement officers, resulting in a shootout that wounded Ventura and a Plantation police detective, according to a federal complaint.
Neither had life-threatening injuries, a DEA spokeswoman said.
McKenzie and Ventura each face charges of attempted murder on a person assisting DEA agents, conspiracy and intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
DEA agents from the Miami Field Office were investigating McKenzie since the beginning of April, according to the federal complaint.
On April 6, McKenzie met with a confidential source in Coral Springs, describing a plan to transport 180 kilos of cocaine from the Dominican Republic to South Florida.
On the morning of the shootout, McKenzie called the same source, telling him he could provide two kilos at $64,000, the complaint said. They then agreed to meet by a gravel parking lot outside of the Bass Pro Shops. Ventura and McKenzie drove to the meet in separate cars.
The source wore a wire to the meeting, while DEA agents and local law enforcement waited to converge on the scene, according to the complaint. Once the source confirmed McKenzie and Ventura had the cocaine with them, law enforcement approached the suspects, leading Ventura to pull out a gun and start shooting at the
officers.
During the exchange, the Plantation police detective was hit twice, once in the arm and once in his bulletproof vest. Law enforcement officers fired back, striking Ventura. The police arrested the two men, the complaint said.
The incident started just after 1 p.m. in the gravel lot behind Bass Pro and Diver’s Direct in the 200 block of Gulf Stream Way.
According to the complaint, law enforcement discovered two kilos of cocaine and the Berretta 9 mm handgun in Ventura’s car, which they believe was the weapon used during the shootout.
Law enforcement officers also found a loaded .40-caliber Glock handgun in McKenzie’s car. McKenzie, who said he had a permit for the gun, admitted to brokering the deal, saying he would net a $1,000 profit from the exchange.