An anonymous tip to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office sent deputies to a Central Florida home where investigators say they uncovered a stash of drugs and guns and arrested a man. Authorities called the haul a serious win for local public safety and said fentanyl was among the drugs taken off the street.
Deputies received a tip that identified Eddie Rhodes as a suspected dealer, then investigators secured a search warrant for his residence, according to West Orlando News. Rhodes was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on armed trafficking charges, the outlet reported.
When deputies served the warrant, they recovered two pistols, one rifle, roughly 225 grams of cocaine, about 84 grams of fentanyl, 60 grams of methamphetamine, and one pound of cannabis, Orlando-News reported. The sheriff’s office warned that the fentanyl seized has the potential to kill 42,000 people, according to that report.
Fentanyl Remains a Regional Threat
Public health and law enforcement partners say fentanyl continues to drive overdose risk across Central Florida, with task-force seizures reaching kilogram levels in recent quarters. As detailed in the Orange County Opioid Advisory Committee minutes, fentanyl and heroin remain the leading contributors to overdose deaths in the region, while methamphetamine and cocaine have shown upward trends.
Charges and Next Steps
Authorities say Rhodes is charged with armed trafficking in cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine and remains in Orange County custody, West Orlando News reported. The initial agency post did not list any bond amount or upcoming court date.
How to Report Suspicious Activity
The sheriff’s office used the bust as a reminder that anonymous tips can play a key role in drug investigations. Residents are urged to report suspected dealing or other nonemergency concerns through the agency’s nonemergency lines and online reporting portal, which are listed on the Orange County Sheriff’s Office communications page.
Investigators said the seizure took a dangerous supply out of local circulation and that follow-up work will continue as needed. Authorities encouraged anyone with additional information to contact the sheriff’s office through its established reporting channels.
