Drug Suspect Denied Owning Wrapped Package

DECEMBER 20--A Florida Man denied ownership of baggies containing cocaine and methamphetamine that cops found “wrapped around his penis” during a search early Saturday morning, according to arrest affidavits.

Investigators say Patrick Florence, 34, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped around 4 AM for traveling without headlights or tail lights on a Clearwater roadway. The driver, Darius Owens, 27, was subsequently arrested on DUI and marijuana possession charges.

A search of the vehicle turned up a handgun under Florence’s seat, leading to his arrest on a pair of felony weapons charges. Florence denied ownership of the .38 Special, reported cops who noted that the ex-con’s rap sheet includes “dozens of felony convictions” which barred him from possessing firearms and ammunition.

During a search of Florence, a deputy discovered two plastic baggies “wrapped around his penis.” One baggie contained “cocaine powder and cocaine base,” while the other held a “crystal substance” police identified as methamphetamine.

Questioned about the narcotics, Florence “stated the package wrapped around his penis was not his,” reported Deputy Levi Blake. It appears Florence--who has multiple cocaine convictions--did not identify the purported owner of the drugs wrapped around his penis (or whether that individual consented to their drugs being stored in such a fashion).

Pictured above, Florence was charged with four felonies--possession of cocaine, meth, ammunition, and a firearm--and booked into the Pinellas County jail in lieu of $24,000 bond.

Previously, suspects have denied owning syringes in their rectum, socks on their feet, cocaine in their shoe, and a crack pipe in their vagina. (2 pages)