ATTRACTIVE OFFICER ENTRAPPED SUSPECT, APPEALS COURT RULES

FORT LAUDERDALE - An appeals court upheld a ruling that a gay suspect
in an undercover drug sting had been entrapped by a ``very
attractive'' detective who asked him whether he liked to ``party.''

The 4th District Court of Appeal agreed with Broward Circuit Judge
Susan Lebow's decision that Julio Blanco thought the undercover
officer might have been looking for a sexual relationship - not drugs.

Blanco, 37, who described himself as a lonely gay man, said he
understood ``party'' to mean having a good time or being sexually involved.

According to court records, Fort Lauderdale police Detective Mike
Nahum, working with a Drug Enforcement Administration team, followed
up with several requests for cocaine.

Blanco refused three times and even tried to leave but ultimately was
persuaded to stay. Eventually he went to the restroom and bought
methamphetamines for the officer, officials say.

The appeals court agreed that Blanco had been entrapped by ``nonverbal
communication used'' by the undercover agent.