Sheriff: Man had enough fentanyl to kill 2,000

Posted 10/4/21

Collier County Sheriff's Deputies arrested a 23-year-old man who they say was in possession of enough fentanyl to kill over 2,000 people.

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Sheriff: Man had enough fentanyl to kill 2,000

Posted

IMMOKALEE -- Collier County Sheriff's Deputies arrested a 23-year-old man who they say was in possession of enough fentanyl to kill over 2,000 people.

Steven Estiverne is in the Collier County jail following his arrest during a traffic stop in Immokalee over the weekend.

“Fentanyl is a deadly drug and has no place in Collier County,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “Once again, with this arrest, our hardworking and committed deputies are continuing to send a message that fentanyl and those who traffic it won’t be tolerated in our community.”

The arrest happened in the 300 block of North 15th Street. While conducting a traffic stop on Estiverne’s vehicle deputies could smell marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Deputies could see in plain view suspect marijuana on Estiverne’s lap and on the passenger seat next to him.

Deputies searched the vehicle and recovered:

- 4.26 grams of fentanyl,

-  21.4 grams of marijuana,

- $24,960 cash, and,

- Narcotic paraphernalia

Deputies said Estiverne had enough fentanyl to kill 2,130 people.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says 1 kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin. It can be a threat to anyone who comes into contact with it as it can be absorbed through the skin or accidentally inhaled.

Estiverne, of 305 Rose Ave. in Immokalee, is charged with trafficking in fentanyl 4 grams or more, possession of marijuana not more than 20 grams, and possession of narcotic paraphernalia. 

At the time of his arrest, Estiverne was out bond stemming from his Aug. 25 arrest for carrying a concealed firearm and possession of over 4 pounds of marijuana.

arrest, Immokalee, Fentanyl

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