PORT REPUBLIC, Md. — A 41-year-old man from Calvert County was arrested on drug-related charges after deputies responded to a trespassing complaint and found suspected fentanyl and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle.
On February 21, 2025, deputies with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a property on Broomes Island Road following reports of an unfamiliar vehicle parked on private land. Upon arriving, officers discovered a gray Toyota Corolla with Charles Edgar Thomas III sitting in the driver’s seat.
Authorities say Thomas quickly swapped seats with his female passenger after they approached the vehicle, reportedly due to his lack of a valid driver’s license. Both individuals displayed erratic behavior, prompting the deputies to call in a K-9 unit, which indicated the presence of controlled dangerous substances in the vehicle.
A subsequent search revealed a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance, suspected to be fentanyl. Deputies also discovered metal hollow tubes with white residue, commonly used for drug ingestion, and a St. Mary’s County Health Department bottle filled with tissues and other drug-related items. Additionally, a prescription bottle for Gabapentin, a medication typically used for nerve pain and seizures, was located inside the vehicle.
After being read his Miranda rights, Thomas admitted that the substance found in the bottle was a mixture of fentanyl and Gabapentin.
Thomas was arrested and taken to the Calvert County Detention Center, where he faces charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance (excluding cannabis) and possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison and a fine of $25,500.
Court records show that Thomas was granted a $1,500 unsecured personal bond following his arrest. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 9, 2025, at the Calvert County District Court.
The suspected fentanyl has been sent to the Maryland State Police lab for testing. The investigation is ongoing.
