OKEECHOBEE - After a 911 call complaining of people walking around outside a motel with flashlights, two men were accused of conducting a drug deal. Matthew Laverty, 42, from Port Orange and Patrick Abel, 31, Northeast 325th Trail, were arrested April 9 at approximately 5 a.m. by Okeechobee City Police Officer Trenton Moutschka.

When Moutschka and Sgt. Cesar Romero arrived, they found a black jeep parked behind the motel. Laverty and Abel were inside. As Moutschka spoke to Laverty, he noticed a syringe on the ground near the left front tire. Nearby was an empty bag of insulin syringes. At the same time, Romero reportedly noticed a firearm inside the vehicle, and both men were ordered to get out of the jeep.

According to Moutschka’s report, a search of the vehicle revealed two syringes filled with methamphetamine, a meth pipe, a torch lighter, a black scale, several unused syringes, a syringe containing heroin, brass knuckles and a brown powdery substance that tested positive for MDMA.

Abel was charged with two counts possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a concealed firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a hallucinogen with intent to sell. His bond was set at $28,500.

Laverty was charged with three counts possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. Bond was set at $11,500.