Bradenton Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced To Prison

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Bobby Harper (23, Bradenton) to five years in federal prison for distributing more than 40 grams of fentanyl. Harper pleaded guilty on April 23, 2018.

According to court documents, on April 12, 2017, a Drug Enforcement Administration undercover agent (“UC”) and a confidential informant (“CI”) made a controlled purchase of narcotics from Harper. The CI called Harper and requested two ounces of heroin. Harper agreed to meet the CI at a location in Manatee County and sell him two ounces of heroin for $5,600. Once at the meeting location, Harper entered the UC’s vehicle and exchanged the package containing the drugs for the cash. A subsequent lab test revealed that the substance weighed 56.694 grams and was a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale. This case is the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) investigation entitled “Hot Batch.” The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.