A 78-year-old man is facing multiple drug-related charges after Hernando County Deputies (HCSO) found him in possession of more than 50 grams of fentanyl during a traffic stop.
According to HCSO Deputy Public Information Officer (PIO) Michael Terry, just before midnight on April 4, deputies stopped a van that was traveling on Commercial Way in Spring Hill because it had failed to come to a complete stop before exiting a gas station.
When the deputy approached the vehicle driven by 78-year-old Kessley Carnes, he noticed a large, clear bag partially stuffed under the back seat. Upon close inspection, the bag appeared to contain marijuana.
Carnes told the deputies that he did not have a medical marijuana card and allowed them to take possession of the bag containing 224.6 grams of marijuana and field tested positive for THC.
Deputies also found a container of small baggies containing a white powdery substance with field tested positive for 57.8 grams of fentanyl.
Carnes denied owning the container and its contents.
After being arrested, Carnes was taken to the Hernando County Detention Center for processing, where deputies found two more clear baggies containing seven grams of white powder in his waistband. The contents of those bags later tested positive for fentanyl.
Carnes was charged with trafficking in fentanyl, introducing contraband into a detention facility, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
His case is pending.
