An accused drug dealer is being held at the Hernando County Detention Center after investigators from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) found more than a pound of fentanyl, guns, and cash in his Spring Hill home.
After it was told that a narcotics dealer was selling large amounts of fentanyl in Hernando County, the HCSO Vice and Narcotics Unit launched an investigation that identified 49-year-old Jacob Spinoza as the one allegedly selling the drugs.
According to the HCSO Spinoza is a convicted felon who has previously served two prison sentences in the Florida Department of Corrections for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, and grand theft. He was also previously arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, retail theft, battery, possession of cocaine, violation of probation, and failure to appear.
During their subsequent investigation undercover detectives made numerous narcotics purchases from Spinoza at his residence located at 6099 Patricia Place in Spring Hill.
On Oct. 7 acting on a probable cause warrant, investigators searched the property where they found approximately 1.2 pounds of fentanyl with a street value of about $50,000.
“According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website, 1 kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people,” Sheriff Al Nienhuis said. “Based on this estimate, the fentanyl seized during this search warrant had the potential to provide a lethal dose to over 200,000 people.”
Investigators also found approximately 2.5 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 130.9 grams of marijuana, 34 Suboxone strips, drug paraphernalia to include digital scales and baggies for packaging narcotics, three firearms with ammunition, and $2,610 US in cash.
As result, Spinoza was arrested and charged with trafficking in fentanyl (over 28 grams), possession of methamphetamine, possession of a Structure for the sale of a controlled substance, possession of the controlled substance Suboxone, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, two counts of possessing a New Legend Drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
Spinoza was booked into the Hernando County Detention Center where is being held on $141,000 bond.
Further investigation is forthcoming, the HCSO said.
