Enough fentanyl to kill 70,000 people found after arrest in Charlotte County

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A man traveling the wrong way in Charlotte County who threw narcotics out of the car will face charges of trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation found Kenel Barthelus, 34, had, in his possession, a trafficking amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl while also selling narcotics.

Deputies attempted a traffic stop on Barthelus’s car for several traffic violations. Barthelus, who was driving a white Dodge Charger, suddenly sped away and slammed into two CCSO vehicles.

Kenel Barthelus mugshot. CREDIT: CCSO

Barthelus crossed Kings Highway while fleeing deputies and threw a bag of narcotics out of the window. An aviation unit continued pursuing Barhelus while ground units from CCSO held off.

“I saw a guy in our backyard and he was running around,” said Meredith Meerman, who witnessed the event, “At first I thought he was just chasing a dog or something. And then I saw him again. And then I heard helicopters. I was like, well, that’s weird. And I looked out here and the whole street was covered in cop cars.”

Barthelus endangered other drivers while speeding down the wrong way on Kings Highway.

After running out of his car, the aviation unit led deputies to Barthelus. After retracing the pursuit and using footage taken from the air to verify the drugs found were what Barthelus threw out of his window.

“When you’re driving the wrong way with vehicles that weigh a few 1000 pounds and going speeds of 40 plus miles an hour, vehicles hit head-on. He could have seriously injured or hurt someone at that point,” said Captain John Heck with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Department.

Detectives discovered 5.07 pounds of methamphetamine and five ounces of fentanyl. Deputies said as many as 70,000 people could be killed by that amount of fentanyl.

“This is an example of an individual who has no regard for human life,” said Sheriff Bill Prummell. “The poison he was pushing, the carelessness of tossing it out the window, the reckless driving, which put numerous innocent people in harm’s way… I’m glad we got him, and no one was hurt, and that he is behind bars where he belongs.”

Barthelus is being held at the Charlotte County Jail without bond.

Barhelus faces the charges listed below:

  • Trafficking methamphetamine
  • Trafficking fentanyl
  • Manufacturing or transportation of drug paraphernalia
  • Aggravating fleeing to elude
  • Tampering with evidence

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