Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI served search warrants on four commercial locations in Pinellas County. The sheriff’s office confirmed that the law enforcement raids resulted in the arrest of one man charged with trafficking fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic narcotic.
According to public records related to the case, DEA agents seized 6.49 grams of powdered fentanyl. During their inspections of properties in Clearwater, Largo and Seminole, agents wore hazardous material suits so that they could spray off after possible exposure to the controlled substance. A witness at the scene said that a law enforcement officer told him that touching the fentanyl could kill a person within 24 hours.
The witness told local media that he could not understand how people’s consciences could let them sell such a dangerous drug. Other witnesses of the raids agreed that they were frightened to learn that the substance had been in the vicinity of their businesses.
A person arrested for drug charges has a right to consult an attorney. Legal advice could inform someone about the meaning of criminal charges and their associated penalties. A case evaluation by an attorney could provide the client with insights about the strength of the prosecutor’s case. This information might aid the client when choosing between going to trial or seeking a plea deal. An attorney might also identify opportunities to defend the client This effort could include questioning the association of the evidence with the person or challenging a search that led to the seizure on the basis that it was made without probable cause.
Source: WFLA, “Federal agents raid 4 Pinellas County locations in large fentanyl bust“, Jeff Patterson, Feb. 19, 2018
