Authorities recently arrested a Florida resident after the local narcotics team found the suspect in possession of deadly and illegal drugs following a residential search.

On Tuesday, the Hernando County officials arrested a 43-year-old man for possessing more than two pounds of illicit substance in his home at Brooksville. According to the police, they found enough fentanyl in the man's home to kill more than half a million people.

The sheriff's office received a tip regarding the distribution of narcotics near 871 Josephine Street in Brooksville. David Gayle was arrested on two charges-both stemming from warrants for selling heroin near a church.

Detectives executed a search warrant for his home on April 24, where they uncovered two pounds of fentanyl and methamphetamine, more commonly known as a mixture called "goofball."

In a statement released by the sheriff's office, the amount of fentanyl they discovered could have led to a devastating number of overdose deaths in Hernando County alone.

Investigators found seven grams of cocaine, oxycodone, and 13 grams of hashish in Gayle's home. They also found marijuana and drug apparatus.

The suspect was charged with one count of trafficking the synthetic drug fentanyl. He was given one count for trafficking methamphetamine. Law enforcement officials dealt him separate charges for possession of the other drugs found.

Gayle has an extensive criminal history in the county since 2011. Most of his previous cases were for cocaine possession. As of Tuesday, he was being held in the county jail on a $215,000 bond. If convicted, he will spend life in prison.

"We can never measure what we prevent," Sheriff Al Nienhuis said. "Anyone who believes that illegal drug trafficking is a victimless crime does not understand the killing power in the drugs seized during this investigation."

He also commended his Vice and Narcotics team for contributing and doing their part to keep the county safe for residents.


More Fentanyl in South Carolina

Investigators also arrested a man from Sumter County after more than 150 grams of fentanyl was found in his apartment.

According to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, 29-year-old Tyrell Billups will be charged with:

  • Felon in possession of a firearm.

  • Three counts of trafficking fentanyl with an enhancement for trafficking more than 28 grams at one time,

  • Four counts of distribution of narcotics near a school,

  • Possession of a weapon, and

  • Two counts of distribution of heroin,

County deputies reportedly found more than 150 grams of fentanyl and about 51 grams of marijuana after officials searched a unit in the Alice Drive Apartments.

They also found pills, roughly $8,900 in cash, and a gun. Authorities estimate the value of the fentanyl to be around $31,000 and the marijuana at $510.

Anthony Dennis, the sheriff, said they are seizing more fentanyl in the county. He said the amount they find in a single traffic stop or an approved search is a cause for alarm, primarily because of the deadly potential of the drug.


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