Tampa Police arrested a man on Thursday, July 14th, for selling tainted drugs to several people, some of whom were found unresponsive on the ground on Tuesday, July 12th.
The Incident
Tampa Police responded just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12th to a call in the area of 34th Street North and Osborne Avenue, near the Jackson Heights neighborhood, where they found six people on the ground, some unresponsive and others having difficulty breathing.
One person at the scene told police officers that they all took a drug and had a bad reaction. Narcan, a medicine that is used to reverse the effects of a drug overdose was provided.
The drugs were tested and the police department found that they contained fentanyl mixed with xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer that is not approved for human use.
Officers also responded to the area of North 33rd Street and East 38th Avenue where another person was also experiencing similar symptoms. All those affected were taken to the hospital.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, but Albert Wyche, 42, has been charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance.
Related Reading > Florida’s Response to the Opioid Epidemic
About Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for pain relief. While it is a legal drug, it is an extremely dangerous narcotic that is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.
Fentanyl is often combined with other illicit drugs like:
These mixtures increase Fentanyl’s potency, sometimes causing a fatal interaction.
Learn More > Florida Fentanyl Possession Attorney
Call Our Fentanyl Defense Attorneys
If you have been charged with the possession or sale of fentanyl or other drugs, contact our experienced defense attorneys at Stechschulte Nell Law immediately. We have defended numerous drug-related cases with a favorable outcomes for our clients.
Our certified criminal defense attorney Ben Stechschulte is a former prosecutor and may help you avoid the serious penalties associated with fentanyl-related crimes. We are available 24/7 and ready to aggressively advocate for you on your behalf. Call us today; 813-280-1244.
