On Thursday, February 1, at 9:30 p.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop on a dark-colored Acura that was traveling east up to 88 mph on State Road 11 in Bunnell.

Initially the driver did not immediately pull over but eventually stopped. Deputies noticed the driver of the vehicle, Patrick Samuels, 32 from Jacksonville, appeared extremely nervous. Because of the driver’s suspicious behavior, Master Deputy Dawson deployed his K-9 partner who alerted him that there was a presence of drugs inside the car.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies located clear plastic baggies containing varying amounts of white powder which tested positive for Cocaine, various types of pills found both loose and in a pill bottle, and a digital scale. The Cocaine also tested positive for the presence of Fentanyl, weighing a combined total of 10.85 grams, which is considered a trafficking amount.

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Samuels was arrested for Trafficking Fentanyl, Possession of Oxycodone With Intent to Sell, Possession of Alprazolam, Possession of New Legend Drug without Prescription and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility where he is currently being held without bond.

“This peddler thought he could cut through Flagler County on his way to deliver his poison. On top of that he had cocaine laced with fentanyl, which is a deadly combination when a buyer thinks they’re only getting cocaine,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Due to the deputies’ traffic stop and help from our K-9, this poison peddler found himself out of business, and the newest guest of the Green Roof Inn.”

For bodycam footage of the search and arrest: http://tinyurl.com/ykxmfp5a