2 charged in Bradenton with trafficking in heroin cut with Fentanyl

MANATEE -- Detectives arrested two men just before 10 p.m. Friday on heroin trafficking charges and found about 150 baggies of heroin cut with Fentanyl, a powerful narcotic believed responsible for numerous recent deaths and overdoses in Manatee County, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives saw a car driven by Paul Thomas III, who was wanted on nine warrants charging him with sale of heroin. Also in the car was Troy Hodo, according to the news release.

Detectives watched the vehicle until Thomas parked at the Village of Cortez Apartments, 4880 51st St. W.

Detectives arrested Thomas after a short foot chase, according to the release.

Thomas was videorecorded by a sheriff's office helicopter flinging small objects onto the ground as he exited the vehicle in an attempt to elude detectives. The objects were found to be more than 100 small baggies of suspected heroin. Approximately 50 more baggies of heroin were

inside the vehicle, along with marijuana, cocaine, MDMA and paraphernalia.

Thomas and Hodo also were carrying almost $10,000 cash, according to the report.

Detectives tested the heroin and found it was mixed with Fentanyl, the sheriff's office reported.

Thomas, 28, faces nine charges of sale of heroin; trafficking in heroin; possession of cocaine, marijuana, MDMA and paraphernalia; resisting arrest; and driving with a suspended license. He was held at Manatee County jail on bonds totaling $121,000.

His criminal history includes convictions for sale or delivery of marijuana and cocaine, possession of cocaine, fleeing to elude and giving law enforcement a false name.

Hodo, 21, faces charges of trafficking in heroin and possession of cocaine, marijuana, MDMA and paraphernalia. He was held at Manatee County jail on bonds totaling $29,000.

His criminal history includes convictions for felony battery, leaving the scene of a crime, possession of a firearm by someone previously found delinquent and his juvenile record includes grand theft auto, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest without violence and disruption of a school function.

Detectives said their investigation is continuing.

This story was originally published September 27, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "2 charged in Bradenton with trafficking in heroin cut with Fentanyl ."