A significant drug enforcement operation in Punta Gorda Town has resulted in the arrest of a mother and daughter duo on serious narcotics charges. Law enforcement officials executed a search warrant on February 3, 2026, at a residential property located on Cerro Road, leading to the apprehension of both suspects.
Cheryl Charlene Garbutt, 47, and her daughter Kailah Cheryl Bahadur, 18, now face charges of possession of controlled substances with intent to supply following the discovery of substantial drug evidence. During the thorough search of the premises, authorities uncovered a plastic bag containing precisely 100 individually wrapped parcels of crack cocaine.
The narcotics, meticulously packaged in foil-wrapped portions, amounted to a total weight of 15.5 grams. Police reports indicate both women were present at the residence during the execution of the search warrant, leading to their immediate detention and subsequent formal charging.
This case highlights ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to combat drug distribution networks within community settings. The involvement of multiple generations within a single family unit in alleged drug trafficking operations presents particular concerns for community leaders and social services organizations.
The judicial process will now determine the appropriate legal consequences for both defendants, with the prosecution expected to emphasize the organized nature of the drug packaging as evidence of distribution intent rather than personal use.