Lee County father, son arrested for possessing enough fentanyl to kill 500,000 people

A father and son were arrested in Lee County for possessing enough fentanyl to potentially kill 500,000 people, according to the sheriff's office.

Robert Bernard Fox Sr. and Robert Bernard Fox II were arrested on Thursday after Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Agents and patrol division deputies conducted a traffic stop on Greenwood Road as part of a drug investigation.

According to Lee County Sheriff Brian Estes, deputies found approximately 1,000 grams (2.2 pounds) of fentanyl in the vehicle during the traffic stop.

Fox Sr., 54, and Fox II, 23, were both charged with trafficking opioid by transport, trafficking opioid by possession, possess with intent to sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle for the sale of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Fox Sr. and Fox II were brought before a Lee County Magistrate, who issued a $250,000 secured bond.

Investigators subsequently searched an apartment home on McKenzie Park Drive. Agents found Shondell Rasheed Bethea inside the home. Bethea, 25, was wanted for failing to appear in court on charges of possess with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, larceny of motor vehicle and two counts of breaking and entering.

Bethea was found to be in possession of two firearms, one of which was entered as stolen by police.

Bethea was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of firearm by felon and one count of possession of stolen firearm. Bethea was brought before a Lee County Magistrate and was held with no bond.