A 54-year-old man who was detained outside a DeLand drug house on Wednesday later died after hiding several plastic bags containing fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in his mouth.
On Wednesday morning, at around 10:30 a.m., Volusia County Sheriff’s Office detectives executed a search warrant at a home located in the 800 block of S Clara Avenue in DeLand. The search followed an undercover investigation into drug sales that had been conducted at the residence, according to VCSO.
The sheriff’s office stated that five people from inside the home were detained outside, including 54-year-old Cornell McKinney. When detectives attempted to get McKinney’s information, he remained silent.
“Detectives suspected that McKinney may be trying to conceal or swallow narcotics,” stated VCSO in a social media post. When the detectives requested several times for McKinney to open his mouth and spit out whatever he was chewing on, he refused, and medical assistance was requested from the DeLand Fire Department.
According to VCSO, McKinney was uncooperative with paramedics and law enforcement, and he eventually became unresponsive after experiencing a medical emergency. Paramedics began lifesaving measures and recovered three plastic baggies from his McKinney’s mouth and throat.
Two of the recovered bags contained suspected heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine.
McKinney was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. His next of kin has been notified.
The VCSO Major Case Unit is currently conducting an investigation, and the medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine McKinney’s cause of death, according to the sheriff’s office.