A recent drug bust in Florida ended in the arrest of three women and two men on Monday, February 7, 2022, in connection to fentanyl possession. Fentanyl is a highly addictive and dangerous opioid that’s taken over the street drug market. Fentanyl abuse is a growing problem in the U.S., as the drug is not only abused individually but also becoming a common cutting agent in other substances. Keep reading to learn where and how this fentanyl drug bust in Jacksonville went down and why fentanyl is a major danger for Americans.
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Fentanyl Drug Bust in Jacksonville Ends in 5 Arrests
Jacksonville's Sheriff’s Office (JSO) arrested three women and two men on February 7, 2022, for several drug-related charges, including possession of and selling fentanyl. The fentanyl arrest happened in the 9000 block of Crystal Springs Road, which is a property that used to serve as a daycare. Property records show that the building has gone through several owners and now seems to serve as a common resting place for drug users.
According to the police report, JSO obtained a search warrant for the property when they became suspicious of drug use and illegal activity. When they arrived on the scene, one of the suspects, Amber Marshall, was detained in the front yard. Her arrests came after the arrests of several other suspects - Joel Coleman, Brandy Poturich, and Ashley Peyton.
Police then instructed others who might be in the building to vacate before they made the residence safe. This resulted in the arrest of the fifth suspect, Christopher Marshall. Following this most recent drug bust, Amber Marshall was arrested for selling fentanyl and cocaine possession.
Brandy Poturich was arrested for three counts of controlled substance possession and one count of marijuana possession. These controlled substances include fentanyl, oxycodone, and diazepam. Ashley Peyton was arrested for two counts of controlled substance possession and one count of drug use.
These substances included amphetamines, methamphetamines, fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia. Christopher Marshall was arrested for selling fentanyl, and Joel Coleman was arrested for selling fentanyl and for controlled substance possession.
Dangers of Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a highly addictive and illegal drug that’s part of a class of substances called opioids. It’s a fast-acting synthetic opiate that alleviates pain without loss of consciousness. Fentanyl depresses the central nervous system and respiratory function severely enough to produce fatal reactions. This drug is estimated to be 80 times as potent as morphine and hundreds of times more potent than heroin.
Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs or used as a cutting agent in drugs to make them weigh more and increase their addiction potential. Drug dealers use this tactic to keep their customers coming back for more. Fentanyl's addictive nature is the direct result of its effects on dopamine.
Dopamine is a “feel-good” neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a role in mood and produces a sensation of reward in the brain. When dopamine is elevated by fentanyl, it produces a euphoric high and activates the brain’s reward system, which encourages further drug use. Not only is it easy to become addicted to fentanyl, but it’s also easy to overdose on it.
Just 2 mg of fentanyl can lead to overdose, a threshold that can become smaller if it’s mixed with other substances. Fentanyl can produce severe side effects, including:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation
- Pain relief
- Sedation
- Drowsiness
- Respiratory depression
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pinpoint pupils
- Dizziness
- Difficulty urinating
In cases where overdose occurs (which is common and easy), symptoms may include:
- Stupor
- Changes in pupillary size
- Blue discoloration of the skin
- Respiratory depression or shallow and ineffective breathing
- Coma
- Brain damage caused by reduced oxygen levels
- Death
Fentanyl is highly addictive and potent. Fentanyl overdoses are often fatal, and using it alone in high doses or with other drugs can increase the risk of overdose. This drug is also not difficult to obtain, which is why fentanyl drug busts like this one can happen in our own backyards.
Help for Fentanyl Addiction
Unfortunately, this won’t be the only Florida drug bust that seizes fentanyl. On the bright side, our Stuart, Florida treatment center offers opioid addiction treatment and detox services to help people who are addicted to street drugs like heroin or fentanyl, or prescription narcotics, find relief.
We usually start patients off with medically-assisted detox to keep them safe during the withdrawal process as well as reduce their risk of relapse. Relapse occurs most often during withdrawal, and when it comes to drugs like opioids or alcohol, these symptoms can be life-threatening if not properly managed.
If you or a loved one is struggling with fentanyl addiction or any other substance, we can help. Call Banyan Treatment Center today at 888-280-4763 for more information about our drug and alcohol treatment in Stuart and how to get started.
Source:
- Action News Jax - 5 arrested after drug bust at former Jacksonville daycare