Deputies arrested a 27-year-old convicted felon and gang member Tuesday after a vehicle pursuit led to a discovery of a large quantity of weapons and drugs, including enough fentanyl to kill nearly 200,000 people.
Joshua Frederick Basham, 27, of Fort Myers faces a long list of felony charges including fentanyl trafficking, heroin trafficking, cocaine trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
At the time of his arrest Basham was out on bond for drug offenses in 2021, including fentanyl trafficking.
“Our deputies took a dangerous felon into custody and removed a significant amount of deadly narcotics from our community,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “This was an outstanding arrest that ensures the safety of our residents.”
Around 6 p.m. deputies attempted to pull Basham over for a traffic offense on Thomasson Drive near Palmetto Court. Basham refused to stop which led to a pursuit that ended when Basham crashed his Lexus into a water-filled ditch and then attempted to run away. Deputies quickly apprehended him as he tried to scale a nearby fence.
A search of the Lexus turned up:
– Three loaded handguns, including one stolen out of Lee County.
– 489 grams of methamphetamine
– 592 grams of cocaine
– 392 grams of fentanyl
– 103 grams of heroin
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Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says 1 kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000. Basham had enough fentanyl in his vehicle to kill 196,000 people.
Deputies said Basham had $2,696 cash on him. They also found a Bible with his name written on it and five cell phones inside the Lexus.
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