INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 59-year-old man was jailed after deputies said they found several bags containing fentanyl, cocaine and opioid pills stuffed in a black sock during a traffic stop Tuesday.
John Henry Hinton
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Deputies arrested John Henry Hinton, of the 2000 block of 37th Avenue, Vero Beach, on four counts of sale, delivery, or possession of controlled substance with intent to sell or deliver. Hinton was also served warrants for two counts of sale, manufacture or delivery of cocaine and two counts of possession of cocaine.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid pain reliever that is among the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Illegal fentanyl, which can come in powder form, is often mixed with cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and ecstasy, health officials said.
Hinton was held Wednesday at the Indian River County Jail on $100,000 bond.
Indian River County deputies were already monitoring Hinton, who had warrants out for his arrest. Deputies conducted a traffic stop about 5 p.m. Tuesday on a grey Chevrolet truck in the 7300 block of 20th Street.
Deputies placed the driver, Hinton, in custody before searching the truck. Hinton told deputies, “Search the whole truck. You won’t find anything in there,” reports show.
Deputies found several hundred small baggies in an envelope and in a tan backpack. The baggies are commonly used when selling illegal drugs, deputies said in the arrest report.
Deputies searched a laundry basket and found several small baggies hidden in a black sock. The baggies contained substances that tested positive for fentanyl and crack cocaine, reports show.
Deputies said the bags also had about nine sedative pills and 13 opioid pills. Hinton told deputies, “I sell it to people and buy more,” reports show.
Deputies arrested Hinton and booked him into the county jail. Hinton has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. Aug. 13, court records show.