Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dharmen K. Patel, 47, was arrested early this morning on multiple charges related to drug trafficking and firearm possession after a deputy detained him because of a report that he had fired a pistol at another vehicle in the 11700 block of SW 8th Avenue.

At about 1 a.m., an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy made contact with Patel in the 7500 block of W. Newberry Road because of a report that his vehicle had been involved in a shooting.

After Patel was detained, a search reportedly produced a baggie of ammunition in his pocket and about a gram of cocaine in another pocket.

The deputy reported that a pistol was in plain view on the center console of the vehicle; it was loaded and appeared to be missing rounds from the magazine. A search of the vehicle also reportedly produced 380 grams of cocaine, about $8,000 in cash next to the cocaine, and another small baggie of cocaine.

Post Miranda, Patel reportedly admitted that the pistol and cocaine were his.

Patel been charged with cocaine trafficking, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, maintaining a vehicle for the purpose of trafficking drugs, cocaine possession, and money laundering. Patel has one misdemeanor conviction for reckless driving. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $360,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.