DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Make Arrest And Seize Drugs

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱:

The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit has been investigating Justin Matthew Rettel for the possession and sales of illegal narcotics. Our Narcotics members received a tip about drugs on his person and that he was dealing from out of his vehicle glovebox. Additionally, our Narcotics Unit received intelligence about a firearm (he is a CONVICTED FELON) in his possession. Detectives had already developed probable cause to arrest Rettel after observing him drive recently. His license has been revoked since 2011, and due to numerous convictions, it is a felony for Rettel to drive.

𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁, 𝘀𝗲𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴𝘀:

Yesterday, while conducting surveillance, detectives watched Rettel walk from his residence to a nearby wood line. Narcotics detectives approached the woods and arrested Rettel for the driving charge. In the woods, our detectives located a black box strategically placed near a palmetto where Rettel was standing before he was arrested. In the box was several forms of narcotics, some of which were in powder form. Due to intel stating he may be dealing fentanyl, this was later processed at the Sheriff’s Office.

On his person, Narcotics detectives seized drug paraphernalia and marijuana, as well as bundles of cash wrapped in rubber bands. A legal search of his vehicle glove box revealed a firearm, pills, and a small scale.

The total seized items between the narcotics in the black box and the items in the glove box are as follows:

• Fentanyl 34.49 grams – Trafficking

• Fentanyl/Cocaine mix – 22.5 grams -Trafficking amount

• Methamphetamine – 37.76 grams – Trafficking amount

• Marijuana- 54.22 grams

• Cocaine- 34.52 grams – Trafficking amount

• Crack Cocaine- 22.34 grams

• Hydromorphone pills – 61 pills, 9.92 grams

• Xanax – 12 pills, 3.22 grams

• Alprazolam – 65 pills, 8.24 grams

• Suboxone film – 13 strips

• Approximately $7500 dollars in drug funds

Rettel was interviewed by Narcotics detectives and admitted to getting narcotics from out of county to sell in DeSoto County. He was transported to the DeSoto County Jail without incident.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀?

According to the DEA, 2 milligrams (2mg) is a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.

Our Narcotics detectives seized 34.49 grams. 1 gram = 1,000 milligrams.

34.49 grams is equal to 34,490 milligrams.

Divide 34,490g by 2mg and you will see that the amount of fentanyl seized by our detectives has the potential to kill up to 17,245 people.

Sheriff Potter is proud of the hard work of our Narcotics Detectives. He is adamant about the removal of dangerous narcotics from our streets and holding drug dealers accountable for bringing and selling narcotics in our community.

𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀:

Rettel was charged with the following in violation of Florida State Statutes (F.S.S.):

• F.S.S. 790.23 Possession of Firearm By Convicted Felon

• F.S.S. 790.23 Possession of Ammunition By Convicted Felon

• F.S.S. 790.07(1) Possession of firearm during commission of felony

• F.S.S. 893.135(1)(b)1a Trafficking in Cocaine (28 to 200 grams)

• F.S.S. 893.135(1)(f)1 TRAFFICKING IN AMPHETAMINES – OR METHAMPHETAMINE 14 GRAMS OR OVER (37.76 grams)

• F.S.S. 893.135(1)(c)4a DRUGS-TRAFFIC – TRAFFICKING IN FENTANYL 4 GRAMS OR MORE (34.49grams)

• F.S.S. 893.135(1)(c)1 Trafficking in 4 grams or more of hydromorphone

• F.S.S. 893.13(1)(a)1 SELL/MANUFACTURE/DELIVER/POSSESS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (Crack Cocaine)

• F.S.S. 893.13(1)(a)1 SELL/MANUFACTURE/DELIVER/POSSESS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (Alprazolam)

• F.S.S. 893.13(6)(a) Possession of Controlled Substance W/O Prescription (Xanax)

• F.S.S. 893.13(6)(a) Possession of Controlled Substance W/O Prescription (Suboxone Film)

• F.S.S. 893.13(1)(a)2 Possession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver

• F.S.S. 893.147(1) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

• F.S.S. 843.02 RESISTING OFFICER W/O VIOLENCE

• F.S.S. 499.03(3) POSS WIT SELL/DISPENSE/DELIVER LEGEND DRUG WO PRESCRIPTION