A Hernando County man is facing multiple drug-related charges after selling cocaine to undercover Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies.
According to HCSO Deputy Public Information Officer Michael Terry the agency’s Vice and Narcotics Unit learned that drugs were being sold from a camper at 16170 Hurban St. in Masaryktown.
During the subsequent investigation, 26-year-old James Mequia sold cocaine from his camper to undercover deputies.
On Aug. 31, acting on a warrant, investigators searched the camper and found approximately 35.9 grams of cocaine, 253 tablets of alprazolam, weighing approximately 59 grams, and 38 suboxone filmstrips, weighing approximately 34 grams. Suboxone filmstrips are a form of Suboxone made into easily-dissolved strips that a user places under their tongue that is used to treat chronic pain or opioid dependence.
Also found were 44 THC cartridges, weighing approximately 587.8 grams, capsules containing “psilocybe cubensis” (mushrooms), weighing approximately 4.4 grams, a small amount of loose marijuana, a Polymer80 firearm, a spikes tactical AR15 300 black out pistol and various ammunition.
Mequia, who was previously arrested for eluding law enforcement, parole violation, failure to appear, and various drug-related charges, was arrested for possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of alprazolam, possession of suboxone, possession of mushrooms, possession of hashish and possession of marijuana under 20 grams and drug paraphernalia.
He was also charged with possession of a structure for the sale of controlled substances, and the sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Place of Worship, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Mequia was booked into the Hernando County Detention Center on $200,000 bond. The investigation remains ongoing.
