Gainesville, FL – A Wednesday evening traffic stop in Alachua County led to the seizure of what deputies say could amount to more than 1,700 potentially deadly doses of fentanyl.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, K9 Deputy M. Griffeth stopped a silver Ford in the 2500 block of SW 23rd Terrace on November 5, 2025, for a traffic infraction. Deputies said the driver, identified as 66-year-old Derrick Washington, declined to consent to a vehicle search.
Because Washington was reportedly observed leaving what deputies described as a high-crime area, a narcotics-detecting K-9 was deployed for an open-air sniff. The K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics, giving deputies probable cause to search the vehicle.
Investigators said the search uncovered multiple baggies containing a white substance testing positive for 3.4 grams of fentanyl — an amount authorities estimate could equal roughly 1,700 fatal doses. Deputies also reported finding a single bag of marijuana and 12 smaller baggies of marijuana packaged for sale.
Washington was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Sell Fentanyl, Possession with Intent to Sell Marijuana, Maintaining a Drug Conveyance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
This case remains under investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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