WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — Four people were arrested on trafficking charges after a Walton County Sheriff’s Office K-9 reportedly alerted to more than 16 grams of fentanyl during a traffic stop Tuesday evening, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office announced.
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According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was driving eastbound on Highway 20 near Alaqua Drive just before 7 p.m. on February 24 when he noticed a white pickup truck repeatedly drifting out of its lane.
K-9 Aries, described by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office as one of its newest K-9s, was called to the scene and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, the agency said.
A search of the truck reportedly uncovered more than 16 grams of fentanyl, along with a spoon, pipe, hypodermic needles, and scales said to be used for taking and distributing narcotics.
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The Walton County Sheriff’s Office noted that it takes as little as two milligrams of fentanyl, comparable to five to seven grains of salt, to cause death in an average-sized adult. In this case, deputies reportedly located more than 16,000 milligrams.
The following individuals were arrested, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office:
Brandon Brookshaw, 45, of Santa Rosa Beach, is charged with trafficking in fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia. Mr Brookshaw was taken to the Walton County Jail and denied bond.
Mary Eichberger, 40, of Freeport, is charged with trafficking in fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Ms Eichberger was also issued a traffic citation for failure to maintain a single lane of travel and was denied bond.
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Joseph Perez, 32, of Valparaiso, is charged with trafficking in fentanyl, felony violation of probation, obstruction without violence, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Mr Perez was denied bond.
Steven Weidenhaft, 37, of Niceville, is charged with trafficking in fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia. Mr Weidenhaft was denied bond.
If convicted, all four face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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