Renee Stephens, 32, of Tampa, Florida, was arrested for selling fentanyl from her apartment and for selling marijuana-infused Doritos, Cheetos, and Oreo cookies to children.
A Florida woman has been arrested after authorities from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reported that 32-year-old Renee Stephens was allegedly selling marijuana-infused candy to children in the neighborhood and selling fentanyl.
According to local reporters, someone tipped off the police in mid-October about Stephens, who was known as the ‘candy lady’ and was allegedly selling fentanyl from her apartment.
Undercover police purchase fentanyl from Renee Stephens during investigation
Police said they conducted a controlled buy operation on Stephens. According to a press release, undercover officers bought six grams of fentanyl from Stephens, and then purchased another 14 grams a week later.
During the third purchase in mid-November, police reported that Stephens sold 28 grams of fentanyl to undercover agentsin the parking lot of her apartment complex. Undercover officers wanted to purchase an additional 10 grams from Stephens. She went back inside her apartment, and came out with more drugs, according to the press release.
Tamp ‘candy lady’ home raided by FDLE on December 11th.
The FDLE said they raided Stephen’s home on December 11 and found 153 grams of fentanyl, 100 fentanyl pills, and marijuana. The police reported that they found 63 individually packaged snacks, which resembled children’s candy and snacks, infused with marijuana to children and alleged that she sold them to children in the neighborhood. The press release stated that the packaged included Doritos, Cheetos, and Oreos and others.
“The drug-infused candy this suspect was reportedly selling to children is every parent’s worst nightmare,” FDLE Tampa Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell said in a statement.
Authorities also said that Stephen made a drug deal while holding her baby. Stephens was conspiring with her husband, Vincent Stephens, who is in prison on drug-relatedcharges.
Renee Stephens charged with trafficking fentanyl
Stephens is facing charges of trafficking in fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
According to a press release, Vincent would “facilitate” the drug deals. He is charged with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Renee Stephens is in Hillsborough County Jail on a $92,000 bond.
