A routine traffic stop turned into a major drug bust Tuesday night when Collier County deputies arrested a convicted felon carrying enough fentanyl to kill thousands.
Jeff Bastien, 36, was spotted riding a bicycle without lights around 10:30 p.m. on Georgia Avenue. When deputies attempted to stop him, Bastien fled, leading to a brief pursuit. He was apprehended after discarding items from his pockets.
READ: Tragedy Strikes: 1-Year-Old Child Found Dead In Car At St. Petersburg Daycare
A search revealed 5.6 grams of fentanyl in Bastien’s jacket, an amount the Sheriff’s Office says is enough to kill 2,800 people. Marijuana and drug paraphernalia were also found.
This isn’t Bastien’s first run-in with the law. He has a lengthy arrest record in Collier County, including a 2021 conviction for fentanyl trafficking for which he served three years in prison. He now faces new charges of fentanyl trafficking and resisting arrest.
READ: Lakeland Man Arrested For Murder After Stabbing Wife
“I am strongly committed to keeping fentanyl out of our community,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “Thanks to alert deputies, this deadly drug was removed from our community and this individual is behind bars where he belongs.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.