Enough Fentanyl To Kill 60,000 Found During SWFL Traffic Stop: Sheriff

COLLIER COUNTY, FL — A Sarasota man is in jail in Collier County after being caught with enough fentanyl to kill nearly 60,000 people, authorities said.

Esteban Perez, Jr. was arrested after being found with 897 fentanyl pills weighing a combined 119.2 grams, according to a Collier County Sheriff’s Office news release. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration estimates that one kilo of fentanyl can kill 500,000 people.

The drugs were found in his vehicle Saturday night after he was pulled over by a patrol deputy around 9:30 p.m. for failing to stop when entering a roadway. During the stop, a strong odor of marijuana came from the vehicle, CCSO said.

In addition to the fentanyl pills, deputies also found cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoid, and narcotic paraphernalia.

Perez was arrested and charged with trafficking in fentanyl, plus five more felonies for drug possession, the sheriff’s office said.

“I will not tolerate anyone who endangers the lives of our residents,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “The synthetic opioid fentanyl is one of the biggest dangers facing our country. I’ve made it a priority to raise awareness about this drug while also getting it out of Collier County.”