LEESBURG, Fla. — Two people are being held without bond in the Lake County Jail after a search warrant at what deputies described as a “fake business” uncovered a large quantity of drugs Thursday, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Bureau executed a narcotics search warrant at 1645 Veech Road in Leesburg, a location commonly known as “The Carwash,” LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon said.
“This location has been identified as a fake business and a known location where multiple individuals will hang out and distribute narcotics,” Vachon said. “Furthermore, back in December 2021, the Criminal Investigations Bureau conducted a homicide investigation at this location that led to an arrest and conviction for murder.”
Around 1 p.m. Thursday, LCSO SWAT secured the scene. Detectives searched the property and found 2 ounces of cocaine, 1.5 ounces of crack cocaine, 14 grams of methamphetamine, 4 grams of fentanyl, 1 pound of cannabis, 30 multicolored pressed pills that appeared to be ecstasy but tested positive for methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and two firearms, according to Vachon.
One of the firearms had been reported stolen in Leesburg in October 2025, Vachon said.
Detectives arrested Dara G. Ostane, 43, on charges of armed trafficking in cocaine, possession of cannabis over 20 grams with intent to sell, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of drug paraphernalia. Ostane was released from prison in 2023 after serving more than 22 years for the 1999 homicide of Fred Nelams in Lake County.
Detectives also arrested Steve L. Roberts, 56, on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of fentanyl with intent to sell, possession of cannabis with intent to sell, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of drug paraphernalia.
