A woman from Florida is alleged to have sold snacks containing drugs in her neighborhood, disguised as candy for kids. Investigators claim that Renee Stephens, 32, from Tampa, was involved in selling individually wrapped treats with marijuana, made to look like children’s candy.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement released this information on Friday, stating that Stephens, who went by the nickname “candy lady,” was even handling fentanyl while holding her baby.
FDLE Tampa Bay Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell stated,” The drug-infused candy this suspect was reportedly selling to children is every parent’s worst nightmare.”
In August, officials started looking into Stephens based on a tip about her suspected involvement in drug trafficking. Agents, or investigators, claimed to have bought drugs from her for three months. They observed her holding her baby while handling fentanyl, a potent and dangerous opioid.
Authorities stated that the purchased drugs contained 58 grams of fentanyl.
When they searched Stephens’s home on a Monday, they reportedly found 153 grams of fentanyl, 100 fentanyl pills, marijuana, and 63 individually wrapped snacks infused with marijuana that looked like popular snacks such as Doritos, Fritos, and Oreos. Pictures from law enforcement showed these snacks designed to resemble the real products.
The investigation revealed that Stephens’s husband, Vincent E. Stephens, who is currently in prison, was helping her with the drug deals, according to the news release.
“It is unconscionable that a mother would have this poison near her baby and sell it to others,” said Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. “I am thankful for our law enforcement partners for seizing the lethal amounts of fentanyl in this case, enough to kill nearly 80,000 people.”
