A Fort Pierce man was arrested Friday after a raid by the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Marshals Service found a massive amount of illicit drugs worth several million dollars at a residence in the 3100 block of S. 24th Street in Fort Pierce.
Tony Saunders, 48, was taken into custody during the execution of a narcotics-related search warrant. Saunders is a three-time convicted felon who is on federal probation and had two active warrants related to the sale and delivery of controlled substances. He faces additional charges of trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in MDPV, manufacturing cocaine, tampering with evidence and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.
The sheriff's office Special Investigations Division, with assistance from the SWAT Team and the U.S. Marshals Service, seized approximately 4.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 303 grams of cocaine, 97 grams of marijuana laced with MDPV, and 60 oxycodone pills totaling approximately 6.2 grams. Detectives also seized assorted ammunition, drug paraphernalia and materials consistent with the preparation and distribution of narcotics.
The street value of 4.5 kilograms of fentanyl can range from $150,000 to nearly $1.8 million, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The estimated street value of 303 grams of cocaine ranges between roughly $18,180 and $60,600.
A single kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people, making 4.5 kilograms a lethal volume capable of millions of fatal doses, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Sheriff Richard Del Toro said the seizure prevented the drugs from reaching local streets. "Fentanyl is a deadly poison, and those who traffic in it are putting lives at risk for profit," Del Toro said.
"I commend our detectives, SWAT Team, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their commitment to this mission. We will continue to pursue those who traffic dangerous narcotics and do everything within our authority to make St. Lucie County the safest county in Florida."