PALM HARBOR, Fla. (WFLA) — A Newport Richie woman was accused of leaving a bag containing fentanyl at a Walmart in Pinellas County on Monday.
According to an arrest affidavit from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, 40-year-old Karen Brod Merkel was caught on surveillance video and dropped a zippered container with a Paw Patrol design in the pet food aisle and stole merchandise from shelves. I leaned forward to see
Brodmerkel reportedly called the store and told staff he would come pick up the bag.
The sheriff’s office was asked to respond by having the store inspected for “derelict items.” Agents said the containers contained multiple plastic bags containing a white powdery substance, two containers containing an unknown substance, glass pipes, aluminum foil, metal and plastic straws, a razor blade, a lighter, and scissors. was said to have been included.
A representative said Brod Merkel denied owning the bag or anything in it.The white substance found inside tested positive for fentanyl, according to PCSO field tests. The other items in the bag have been submitted for testing.
Brodmerkel was incarcerated in the Pinellas County Jail and charged with possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was subsequently released on her bail.
