Pubdate: Wed, 08 Jun 2005
Source: Pensacola News Journal (FL)
Copyright: 2005 The Pensacola News Journal
Contact:  http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1675
Author: Amber Bollman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n000/a416.html

HOUSE FORFEITED IN 'OPERATION SANDSHAKER' ON AUCTION BLOCK

A large Pensacola Beach home forfeited to federal authorities as a
result of the "Operation Sandshaker" drug bust will be auctioned
online from June 20-22.

Potential buyers will have their first chance to inspect the two-story
waterfront home at 1111 Panferio Drive home on Friday.

Linda Murphy, the former owner of the Sandshaker Lounge and Package
Store, and her husband, Robert, forfeited the home last summer after
pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute large amounts of cocaine.

She is serving a two-year term at Tallahassee Federal Correctional
Institution. He is serving a 71/2-year sentence at Pensacola Federal
Prison Camp at Saufley Field.

Their 3,100-square-foot home, on a 12,000-square-foot lot on Santa
Rosa Sound, includes four bedrooms and bathrooms, a foyer, dining
room, kitchen, family room, play room and two bonus rooms.

Hurricane Ivan damaged 44.92 percent of the property, building
officials said. The Santa Rosa Island Authority has authorized the
house to be rebuilt, and the winning bidder will receive a certificate
at closing to rebuild.

Federal agents arrested the Murphys after a three-year investigation
revealed they were storing large amounts of cocaine at their home. The
drugs later were sold to dozens of buyers in the Pensacola area,
usually by ringleader Jackie Seale or Robert Murphy.

Seale and Murphy made frequent trips together to South Florida, where
they purchased cocaine.

Fifty-three people were arrested in connection with the operation.
They have faced penalties ranging from 15 years in federal prison for
Seale to probation and community control for buyers who investigators
believe had little involvement in the operation of the drug ring.

Several other properties were forfeited to the U.S. Marshals Service
in connection with "Operation Sandshaker."

The bar, a popular Pensacola Beach watering hole for more than 30
years, was sold online for $605,000, and a condominium owned by
another Sandshaker defendant was auctioned off for $644,000.
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