Florida man accused in cocaine bust was ‘only selling due to COVID’

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A Florida man accused of selling cocaine to police detectives at least three times told police he was “only selling due to COVID” in order to make money, authorities said.

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Daryl Antonio James Allen, 28, of Port St. Lucie, was arrested Thursday and faces 12 charges, most of which include selling or possessing cocaine, according to St. Lucie County online jail records.

Allen’s bail was set at $109,500, according to online records.

According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, detectives allegedly bought 3.5 grams from Allen on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30 for $250 each time at two different convenience stores in Port St. Lucie, TCPalm reported.

Detectives said they bought two “8 balls" of cocaine on Oct. 8 at another convenience store, according to arrest affidavits.

Allen was pulled over by police on a traffic stop on Thursday and found additional cocaine. A search of his home revealed small amounts of cocaine, a “cutting agent” and a clonazepam pill, TCPalm reported.

According to the arrest affidavit, Allen said he was selling the drugs “due to COVID, and to get some money.”

Allen was arrested and taken to the St. Lucie County Jail, according to TCPalm.

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Cox Media Group