Two people identified as drug dealers by Cape Coral police have been arrested.
Steven Grover, 30, is facing 15 charges including sale and possession of heroin and hydrocodone. Detectives arrested Grover on February 10th during a traffic stop along the 1100 block of NE 16th Place.
According to Cape Police, detectives conducted several drug buys from Grover prior to the traffic stop during their investigation.
Officers confiscated an undisclosed amount of money from the vehicle The arrest was Grover's 25th in Lee County; most of which were drug-related.
Cape's Vice, Intelligence, & Narcotics Unit also nabbed Cassandra Steidtmann, who is facing two felony charges for sale and possession of heroin.
Both individuals have been arrested several times on drug-related offenses.As more heroin-related arrests occur in Lee County, it raises questions on whether diversion programs may help reduce recidivism.
"People can make a mistake and you have to have that optimism," said Roger P. Foley, Criminal Defense Attorney. "But the one's that continue to make the mistake; there's no amount of legislation that can do it," added Foley.
Diversion programs are usually for first-time offenders or those with few convictions on their record. For this reason, Foley says many recidivist don't qualify for help.
"I'm a fan of diversion programs but a diversion program is not going to help the guy that has three dozen cases," said Foley.
Without a real solution on how to end the cycle, Grover may end up back on the streets dealing, yet again.
