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Fake dictionary used to hide over 30 grams of fentanyl leads to arrest in Putnam County

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Published  January 3, 2025 11:16am EST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 35 Orlando
article

Credit: Putnam County Sheriff's Office

The Brief

    • According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to pull over a vehicle for multiple traffic violations.
    • Deputies said the driver refused to comply with their instructions and was detained after exiting the vehicle.
    • During a search of the vehicle, deputies found 34 grams of marijuana near smaller baggies, a scale, and what appeared to be a standard dictionary.
    • However, the dictionary was hollowed out to hide drugs.
    • The driver was arrested and charged.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A traffic stop in Putnam County on Monday evening led to the arrest of a 45-year-old man after deputies discovered drugs hidden in a hollowed-out dictionary, authorities said.

According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to pull over a vehicle driven by Samuel Shorter, 45, for multiple traffic violations, including crossing a double yellow line and nearly striking another vehicle head-on in the area of Silver Lake Drive.

Shorter initially refused to stop but eventually brought the vehicle to a halt in the middle of Roselle Avenue. 

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Deputies said he refused to comply with their instructions and was detained after exiting the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies found 34 grams of marijuana near smaller baggies, a scale, and what appeared to be a standard dictionary. 

Upon inspection, they discovered the dictionary had been hollowed out to serve as a hiding place for drugs.

Credit: Putnam County Sheriff's Office

Inside the fake book, deputies said they found 6 grams of fentanyl, 4 grams of crystal methamphetamine and a white substance that appeared to be cocaine.

Shorter was arrested and faces multiple charges, including:

  • Fleeing and Eluding Police
  • Resisting an Officer without Violence
  • Trafficking Fentanyl
  • Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Sell
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams

He is being held without bond at the Putnam County Jail.

Authorities noted that Shorter has an extensive criminal history, including two prior convictions for drug sales and previous prison sentences.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The Source: The information in this article comes from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. 

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