Woman Arrested for Counterfeit Narcotics

NEWS RELEASE 18-064 - MARCH 27, 2018
Baird, Ashley

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman Saturday morning for drug possession and intent to sell counterfeit substances.

The investigation began just after 2:00 a.m. when deputies stopped a vehicle for travelling on the wrong side of the road near the intersection of Florence Street and Jessica Street South in Nokomis. The driver, identified as 31-year-old Ashley Baird, consented to search of her vehicle where deputies located various pieces of drug paraphernalia, prescription pills, marijuana, and baggies filled with unknown substances. Baird told deputies the baggies contained fake narcotics that she intended to sell, which resembled methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.

Baird, a prolific offender with prior arrests for drug possession, robbery, and burglary, was arrested and taken to the Sarasota County Jail. She is charged with three counts of Possession of Counterfeit Drugs with Intent to Sell, four counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription, two counts of Possession of Narcotic Equipment, and one count of Possession of Marijuana. She remains in custody on $12,000 bond.