Fentanyl, Marijuana Found In Sarasota Man’s Backpack: Police

SARASOTA, FL — A Sarasota man faces multiple charges after marijuana, drugs and drug paraphernalia were found in his backpack Tuesday night, Sarasota police said in a news release.

Sarasota police saw Connor T. Smith, who had an active felony warrant in Manatee County, sitting at a picnic table outside The Mable, a bar at 2831 Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, just before 8 p.m. Tuesday. He was wanted on an active warrant for a violation of probation for robbery with a deadly weapon and two counts of aggravated battery from Manatee County, police said.

When police asked him about the contents of his backpack, Smith “became nervous, and stated, ‘It would only incriminate me,’” according to arrest records.

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A search of Smith’s backpack found 115.8 grams of marijuana, two bags of fentanyl powder, one zip-close bag with hard-pressed fentanyl pills, various drug paraphernalia (including an electronic scale and small plastic bags), and cash, police said. The marijuana and fentanyl were both positive field-tested.

He faces two felony charges – possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of a controlled substance – and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Smith was arrested and brought to the Sarasota County Jail, where he’s being held on a $3,500 bond.