Coral Springs residence linked to February drug raid remains in legal limbo after property owner fails to appear at nuisance hearing
Coral Springs, Florida – A Coral Springs residence linked to a cocaine drug bust earlier this year remains in legal limbo after the property owner failed to appear at a scheduled nuisance-abatement hearing, delaying the city’s efforts to address ongoing concerns about illegal activity at the home. The property, located at 1839 NW 91st Avenue, has been under scrutiny since a police raid in February uncovered controlled substances inside the residence.
On Feb. 13, Coral Springs police executed a search warrant at the property, deploying both narcotics and SWAT units. The operation resulted in the arrest of 33-year-old Nicholas James Arena, who faced charges of possession of cocaine and possession of cannabis. According to police reports and court filings, investigators discovered multiple small bags of suspected drugs throughout the home, including a plastic bag containing 1.4 grams of a white powder in a bedside drawer, a half-gram bag in a black box under the bed, and two additional bags containing 1.2 grams of a “green leafy substance” in the same box. Field testing confirmed that the substances were cocaine and cannabis. Arena reportedly waived his Miranda rights and told police that both drugs were for personal use.
Following the raid, the Coral Springs code enforcement department declared the property a public nuisance, citing illegal drug activity that threatened the safety of the surrounding neighborhood. The city’s nuisance-abatement process is specifically designed to address properties where repeated unlawful activity endangers public welfare. Officials often use it to impose safety measures, require enhanced security, or levy fines to prevent further incidents.
However, the process hit a major setback in November when Anastasia Arena, the property owner, failed to appear for a scheduled hearing with the city’s nuisance-abatement board. The situation was further complicated by a lack of sufficient board members in attendance. Without a quorum, the board could not proceed with a formal vote or make legally binding decisions, forcing them to postpone the hearing to an undetermined future date.
Assistant City Attorney Christina Gomez provided a brief status update on the case but emphasized that no further action could be taken until the hearing is officially rescheduled. The delay prevents the city from imposing formal penalties or mandating specific security measures aimed at curbing illegal activity at the home. As a result, the property remains in a state of uncertainty, with neighbors and city officials still awaiting a resolution.
City officials say that properties like the one on NW 91st Avenue are a priority because they can create ongoing risks for the community. Public nuisance declarations and abatement actions are intended to discourage illegal behavior and protect neighborhoods, but delays in the legal process can allow potentially harmful conditions to persist.
Residents in the area have expressed concern over the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the property, noting that unresolved cases can affect both safety and property values. While the city continues to work through procedural hurdles, the ultimate goal remains to ensure that properties linked to illegal activity are properly addressed and that neighborhoods are safeguarded.
The case underscores the challenges cities face when enforcing nuisance-abatement laws, particularly when property owners fail to participate or procedural requirements, such as board quorums, prevent timely action. Until the hearing is reconvened and a ruling is made, the future of the residence at 1839 NW 91st Avenue remains uncertain, leaving city officials to navigate both legal constraints and community concerns.
