In what might look like a scene pulled straight from a crime drama, Hernando County Sheriff's Office Vice and Narcotics Unit took down Daniel “Blanco” Velazquez in a dramatic sting operation, catching him in the middle of an attempted drug flush.
Last week, a sting operation seized over 380 grams of fentanyl, along with smaller amounts of methamphetamine, marijuana, and an alprazolam pill. Detectives, assisted by K-9 Deputies J. Arnold and Odin, entered a converted Airbnb garage to arrest Velazquez, who was attempting to dispose of evidence in a toilet. Velazquez resisted, cornered in a bathroom, and was subdued with a K-9 bite, receiving immediate medical treatment.
Velazquez's girlfriend, Jahira Rodriguez, was also arrested. She tried to hide Velazquez and was found with illegal substances. Her refusal to open the door and attempts to conceal evidence hindered the operation.
After his arrest, Velazquez admitted to trafficking large amounts of fentanyl and destroying evidence. Detectives had to dismantle the septic system to recover baggies of the narcotic, all of which tested positive for fentanyl. Velazquez was charged with four counts of trafficking in fentanyl, possession of methamphetamine, possession of alprazolam, felony evidence tampering, and other offenses.
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office continues its efforts to combat fentanyl, recognizing the toll the drug takes on families and communities. "These dangerous substances continue to devastate families and neighborhoods," the unit said, reaffirming its strong stance against traffickers.
