Keys landlord arrested after years of drug activity reported at property, deputies say

KEY LARGO, Fla. — A 72-year-old Key Largo property owner was arrested Friday as part of a drug investigation after authorities accused her of knowingly renting rooms to drug dealers and users for about three years.

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Jail records show Sherry Lee Sears faces a charge of owning or renting a structure or vehicle while aware drugs were being sold there.

Deputies say Sears was “knowingly renting multiple rooms to known drug dealers and users from 2023 through 2026.”

According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, deputies have responded to numerous calls at the property located in the 200 block of Lignumvitae Drive over the past three years.

Authorities said the property “became known for drug-related activity, including overdose emergencies, disturbances and multiple narcotics-related arrests.”

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They said detectives with MCSO’s Special Operations Unit conducted multiple drug investigations at the property this year.

Investigators said the property was linked to the “continued use and sale of fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine and methamphetamine.”

Detectives said they obtained an arrest warrant for Sears, who was taken into custody Friday and booked into jail.

Sears’ bond amount was not immediately available. Records show she is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 1.

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