FORT PIERCE – A 48-year-old Fort Pierce man remained behind bars as of Sept. 19 on multiple drug charges.
Tony Jay Saunders of the 3100 block of South 24th Street, Fort Pierce was charged with trafficking in fentanyl; trafficking in cocaine; trafficking in MDPV; manufacturing cocaine; tampering with evidence; and possession of marijuana with intent to sell, according to a St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Facebook posting.
The sheriff’s office Special Investigations Division, along with the SWAT Team and the U.S. Marshals Service, executed a narcotics-related search warrant at his home on Sept. 18.
About 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 were seized. Detectives also seized assorted ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and materials consistent with the preparation and distribution of narcotics.
Saunders, a three-time convicted felon who is currently on federal probation, also had two active warrants related to the sale and delivery of controlled substances, according to the Facebook posting.
He remained in the St. Lucie County Jail as of Sept. 19 on a $350,000 bond, according to the jail website.
“4.5 kilos of fentanyl are 4.5 kilos that will not reach our streets. Fentanyl is a deadly poison, and those who traffic in it are putting lives at risk for profit. I commend our detectives, SWAT Team, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their commitment to this mission,” Sheriff Richard Del Toro said in the Facebook posting. “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.”