01/26/2022
Deputies arrested a 22-year-old convicted felon on drug trafficking and weapon charges and confiscated enough of the dangerous opioid fentanyl to kill over 4,000 people during a traffic stop last night.
Giovanni Francois of 5326 Sholtz St. is charged with fentanyl trafficking, co***ne trafficking, possession of a weapon by a gang-related felon, possession of a controlled substance – amphetamine, possession of ma*****na, and possession of narcotic equipment.
“Our deputy’s proactive policing likely saved lives by taking deadly drugs off the street,” said Sheriff Kevin Rambosk. “This traffic stop also put a halt to this convicted felon’s criminal activity.”
Around 10:30 p.m. a deputy monitoring traffic in East Naples saw a tan Kia Optima traveling above the speed limit in the area of Naples Manor. The deputy activated his vehicle’s emergency equipment. Soon after, the deputy saw the front-seat passenger, later identified as Francois, put his hand out the window and toss a bag onto the road.
The Kia continued to travel and the deputy watched Francois drop a box out the window. The vehicle finally came to a stop at the intersection of St. Andrews Boulevard and Hidden Valley Drive where deputies conducted a traffic stop.
Deputies recovered the discarded bag and box and found the following items inside:
- A 9mm handgun. The firearm was fully loaded with seven rounds of ammunition and one round in the chamber.
- Multiple clear bags containing fentanyl, crack co***ne, co***ne, amphetamine and ma*****na.
- Multiple empty bags and packages, and labels consistent with narcotics packaging.
Deputies searched the vehicle and found more fentanyl and co***ne.
Francois, the registered owner of the vehicle, was taken into custody and transported to the Collier County jail.
In all, deputies recovered and seized:
- 8.4 grams of fentanyl
-45.7 grams of crack co***ne
-9 grams of amphetamine
-0.2 grams of powder co***ne
-18.5 grams of ma*****na
Deputies said the recovered fentanyl was enough to kill 4,200 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 he**in. It can be a threat to anyone who comes into contact with it as it can be absorbed through the skin or accidentally inhaled.
