BONIFAY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Authorities with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office have announced the arrest of four people following a multi-agency raid.

Officials said personnel from the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, the Bonifay Police Department, the Florida Highway Patrol Criminal Interdiction Unit and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office worked together to arrest the four suspects for drug trafficking and selling fentanyl.

HCSO detectives allegedly set up a purchase of fentanyl and methamphetamine from the first suspect, Michael Cotton, at the Tom Thumb in Bonifay on July 19. They said Cotton, along with three others, met with an undercover detective and sold them about 15 pills, totaling 2.3 grams of fentanyl.

According to authorities, after the sale was completed, the vehicle with the suspects inside left the parking lot and drove onto SR 79. The vehicle attempted to make a U-turn when police stopped and boxed in the car.

According to reports, the driver, identified as Jason Rudd, attempted to flee by putting the car in reverse and struck a patrol vehicle. According to the report, Cotton, who was the front seat passenger, got out of the car and attempted to run back to Tom Thumb.

Investigators said the Florida Highway Patrol Criminal Interdiction Unit released K9 Colt, who chased Cotton and caught him in the parking lot. They said that as Cotton ran away, he dropped cash, along with a bag containing about 25-30 fentanyl pills, totaling about 6 grams.

Authorities said they frisked Rudd and found about 20-25 pills, or 5 grams, of fentanyl. A baggie of methamphetamine was also found in the passenger seat of the car.

Authorities say there were two people in the backseat of the car, identified as Samantha Kirkland and Ashley Clark, who were present during the drug transaction. All four were arrested.

Cotton is reportedly charged with trafficking fentanyl, sale of fentanyl, resisting arrest, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Authorities said Rudd is charged with trafficking fentanyl, sale of fentanyl, aggravated assault on a police officer. Kirkland and Clark are both charged with principal sale of fentanyl.

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