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04-14-2005, 07:35 AM
04/14/05
PUNTA GORDA -- Three people were arrested on drug charges at the FEMA mobile home park around 8 p.m. Tuesday. Two of the suspects were allegedly "cooking" the legal but sometimes lethal street drug, DXM, which recently resulted in the deaths of two Lee County teens and the hospitalization of an Englewood teen last year.
Deputy Terri Hessler of the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office arrived at the mobile home on a public assist call. A woman wanted his help to retrieve some clothing from inside the home.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's report:
Hessler went to the door of the residence, 26551 Airport Road, unit 286, and was met by 20-year-old Matthew Daniel Ross, who lived in the home. Ross appeared to be under the influence and allegedly told the deputy that he had been cooking cough medicine that evening.
Ross allowed Hessler to enter the home, where the deputy noticed a large glass bong, pipes, rolling papers, a marijuana joint and a bag of marijuana on a coffee table.
Megan Lee Hopkins, 20, who also resides in the mobile home, and 18-year-old Nicholas Spencer Cheever, of another mobile home at the park, were found sitting at the table with Ross.
When back-up investigators from the narcotics unit arrived, Hopkins stated that she was going to be ill. In the process of escorting her to and from the bathroom, Hessler noticed white powder on a mirror -- which Hessler suspected to be DXM, dextromethorphan. DXM is often found in over-the-counter cold and flu medication.
In Hopkins' and Ross' room, authorities found small amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, a spoon with heroin residue and items used to make DXM. Hopkins told deputies she was an "honors chemistry student" and that the drug was not illegal to possess, states the report.
Hopkins and Ross were both charged with possession of narcotics equipment, possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. Due to the fact that DXM is the active ingredient in many cough and cold medications it is not illegal to have or use in Florida.
Cheever was charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All three were taken to the Charlotte County Jail. Cheever was given a supervised release Wednesday under stipulations set by the court. Ross was also released Wednesday after posting $7,000 bond.
Hopkins remained at the Charlotte County Jail Wednesday night in lieu of $7,000 bond.
DXM also called Dex, Skittles and Triple C's, can cause a reaction similar to illegal drugs ketamine and PCP when taken in large or concentrated doses.
The drug has become increasingly popular in recent years due mainly to its accessibility. Users can either take excessive amounts of the original medications or "cook" the medication, burning it down to a purer form.
Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, seizures, psychosis, coma and death.
A 13-year-old Englewood boy was hospitalized for an overdose after taking 17 pills of Coricidin HBP, which had DXM in it, in May 2004. Many others have been died of liver failure and other such problems.
Two Lee County boys were killed and another hospitalized this February when they overdosed on pure DXM powder they bought over the Internet. The Web site stated the product was not for human consumption.
http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/041...tory=tp2ch7.htm (http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/041405/tp2ch7.htm?date=041405&story=tp2ch7.htm)
PUNTA GORDA -- Three people were arrested on drug charges at the FEMA mobile home park around 8 p.m. Tuesday. Two of the suspects were allegedly "cooking" the legal but sometimes lethal street drug, DXM, which recently resulted in the deaths of two Lee County teens and the hospitalization of an Englewood teen last year.
Deputy Terri Hessler of the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office arrived at the mobile home on a public assist call. A woman wanted his help to retrieve some clothing from inside the home.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's report:
Hessler went to the door of the residence, 26551 Airport Road, unit 286, and was met by 20-year-old Matthew Daniel Ross, who lived in the home. Ross appeared to be under the influence and allegedly told the deputy that he had been cooking cough medicine that evening.
Ross allowed Hessler to enter the home, where the deputy noticed a large glass bong, pipes, rolling papers, a marijuana joint and a bag of marijuana on a coffee table.
Megan Lee Hopkins, 20, who also resides in the mobile home, and 18-year-old Nicholas Spencer Cheever, of another mobile home at the park, were found sitting at the table with Ross.
When back-up investigators from the narcotics unit arrived, Hopkins stated that she was going to be ill. In the process of escorting her to and from the bathroom, Hessler noticed white powder on a mirror -- which Hessler suspected to be DXM, dextromethorphan. DXM is often found in over-the-counter cold and flu medication.
In Hopkins' and Ross' room, authorities found small amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, a spoon with heroin residue and items used to make DXM. Hopkins told deputies she was an "honors chemistry student" and that the drug was not illegal to possess, states the report.
Hopkins and Ross were both charged with possession of narcotics equipment, possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. Due to the fact that DXM is the active ingredient in many cough and cold medications it is not illegal to have or use in Florida.
Cheever was charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All three were taken to the Charlotte County Jail. Cheever was given a supervised release Wednesday under stipulations set by the court. Ross was also released Wednesday after posting $7,000 bond.
Hopkins remained at the Charlotte County Jail Wednesday night in lieu of $7,000 bond.
DXM also called Dex, Skittles and Triple C's, can cause a reaction similar to illegal drugs ketamine and PCP when taken in large or concentrated doses.
The drug has become increasingly popular in recent years due mainly to its accessibility. Users can either take excessive amounts of the original medications or "cook" the medication, burning it down to a purer form.
Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, seizures, psychosis, coma and death.
A 13-year-old Englewood boy was hospitalized for an overdose after taking 17 pills of Coricidin HBP, which had DXM in it, in May 2004. Many others have been died of liver failure and other such problems.
Two Lee County boys were killed and another hospitalized this February when they overdosed on pure DXM powder they bought over the Internet. The Web site stated the product was not for human consumption.
http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/041...tory=tp2ch7.htm (http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/041405/tp2ch7.htm?date=041405&story=tp2ch7.htm)