PALM COAST, FLA. — Flagler County deputies said two men were arrested on Tuesday after investigators found enough fentanyl to kill 481,000 people inside their Palm Coast home.
Deputies said the owner of the home on Blasdell Court, Brian Pirraglia, 39, and a tenant of the home, Michael Connelly, 40, were arrested on various drug charges.
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Investigators said they found drug paraphernalia in each of the men’s bedrooms.
During a search of the kitchen, deputies said they found a large plastic baggie containing 510 grams of fentanyl and a plastic jar labeled “Protein” containing 406 grams of fentanyl.
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Upon questioning, deputies said Pirraglia stated the white powdery substance in the plastic jar was “protein” and that the plastic baggie was a gift from his neighbor and he was unaware of the contents. Pirraglia told deputies he does not allow drugs to be sold in his home.
Deputies said Connelly’s criminal history with the FCSO dates back to 2007, and Pirraglia’s criminal history with the department dates back to 2014.
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“Between these two poison peddlers, they had enough fentanyl to kill 481,000 people, which is more than the population of Flagler and St. Johns County combined,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement. “This is another great job by our Special Investigations Unit. I’m proud of their persistence to get 916 grams of poison off our streets and of our SWAT team that safely served the search warrant.”
Both Connelly and Pirraglia were arrested and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.
Connelly is being charged with possession of drug paraphernalia/equipment and possession of a legend drug without a prescription. He is being held on a $3,000 bond.
Pirraglia is being charged with possession of drug paraphernalia/equipment. He is being held on a $500 bond.
Deputies said additional charges for trafficking fentanyl are pending Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) lab results.
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