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. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek