While ensuring the safety and flow of traffic during this busy music festival, and while working a paid detail sponsored by Soundslinger to help stop the flow of illicit drugs into our community and the event, Deputy Sheriff K9 Handler Karson Reno and his partner Ricco were traveling on U.S. Highway 441 North when they observed a full-size truck with a camper insert commit a traffic violation.

A lawful traffic stop was conducted.

During the stop, K9 Ricco was deployed to conduct an exterior free-air sniff for the presence of narcotics. Ricco gave a positive alert, indicating the presence of illegal narcotics within the vehicle and camper.

A search of the vehicle initially resulted in the discovery of over 185 grams of dried psychedelic mushrooms.

Ricco remained adamant in his alert behavior, indicating additional narcotics were present within the camper. Prior to conducting an extensive search, deputies utilized a flashlight, and through the space between the truck and camper, observed several cellophane-wrapped packages hidden but when illuminated in view.

A subsequent search of the vehicle and camper resulted in the seizure of approximately 650 grams of raw dried psychedelic mushrooms, 3.37 pounds of mushroom-infused psychedelic chocolate (1,619.34 grams), 128.7 grams of cocaine, 3.6 grams of Ecstasy, 1.4 grams of heroin, and 172.3 grams of marijuana.

Arrested was Elijah Whitford, 27, of Florida.

Whitford was charged with trafficking in cocaine (28 grams to less than 200 grams), possession with intent to sell psilocybin, possession of heroin and possession of MDMA/ecstasy

Bond is to be set by the first appearance judge.

The message is clear, come and have fun, but if you bring illicit drugs into our county that endanger our community, we will find them and you will be arrested.