Renee Stephens, known as the “Candy Lady,” is accused of selling marijuana-infused candy to kids in her Tampa neighborhood, cops in Florida say. (Left: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; Right: Florida Department of Law Enforcement)
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested a Tampa woman after she was allegedly selling marijuana-infused candy to kids in the neighborhood, a press release said.
Agents received a tip from a confidential source in mid-October that 32-year-old Renee Stephens was selling fentanyl out of her Tampa apartment. Undercover officers then conducted a controlled buy of six grams of fentanyl, then bought another 14 grams a couple weeks later, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime.
During a third buy in mid-November, Stephens allegedly sold the undercover agents 28 grams of fentanyl in the parking lot of her apartment complex. When the agents asked if she had 10 more grams, she walked back into her apartment and came out with the additional drugs, the affidavit said.
The FDLE press release said agents raided the home on Dec. 11 where they found 153 grams of fentanyl, 100 fentanyl pills, and marijuana. Agents also located and seized 63 individually packaged snacks resembling children’s candy and snacks that were infused with marijuana that she “reportedly” sold to children, agents said. Packages included Doritos, Cheetos, and Oreos.
“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.
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Stephens also allegedly made a drug deal when she was holding her baby.
“It is unconscionable that a mother would have this poison near her baby and sell it to others,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said.
Stephens is facing charges of trafficking in fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl and unlawful use of a two-way communication advice. She was allegedly conspiring with her husband, Vincent Stephens, who is currently in prison on drug-related charges. He would “facilitate” the drug deals and is also charged with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, FDLE said.
Renee Stephens is at the Hillsborough County Jail on a $92,000 bond.
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