FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA: A Florida man has reportedly been arrested for the possession of drugs and other controlled substances after feigning a heart attack on Sunday, August 6.
Christopher Heath was stopped and questioned by police during a traffic stop when it was revealed he was in possession of drugs, including marijuana, per FOX 35.
What did Christopher Heath do?
On Sunday, August 6, the accused Florida man was charged with possession of fentanyl (trafficking), possession of hashish, possession of paraphernalia and failure to obey law enforcement, deputies said.
The authorities said that when they stopped Heath near Mahogany Boulevard and Honeytree Street in Bunnell, they picked up on a strong odor of marijuana in his car.
Suspicious, they searched his car and found a prescription bottle with a golden-brown oil-like substance inside that tested presumptive positive for fentanyl and THC, reported the outlet.
As the deputies took the initiative to arrest him on the spot, Heath pretended he was having a heart attack, per the sheriff’s office. While the medical units on the scene checked him, they "could not be adequately evaluated due to his actions and demeanor.”
Later, the accused Florida man was taken to a local hospital. After obtaining medical clearance, Heath was taken to the Sheriff Petty Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He is being held there on a $1,000 bond.
Does Christopher Heath have a criminal record?
Flagler County Sheriff Department stated that Heath has a long criminal record. He has been previously arrested for domestic violence battery, grand theft, burglary, child abuse and resisting an officer with violence, among others.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement, "This poison peddler is a serial criminal and won’t learn his lesson. Time for him to turn his life around or face serious jail time.”
Florida cops bust drug ring
In a similar case, Florida cops busted a drug ring responsible for selling fentanyl and xylazine as part of Operation Moscow Mule, per CBS. Authorities said they arrested 15 people in connection with the case.
Drugs such as xylazine were being circulated to areas including Oak Ridge corridor in Orange County and other areas "that we're already having massive problems with," per Captain Darryl Blanford with the Orange County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Squad.
Drug abuse was becoming a nuisance in the area and has caused nine deaths since 2022. Undercover agents infiltrated the group and unearthed information about the group’s leader, who was based in New Jersey.
The alleged ringleader, Jazzmeen Montanez, was previously arrested and served a prison sentence for selling fentanyl. Prosecutor Ashley Wright said an “active ongoing investigation” is being carried out.