SPRING HILL, Fla. – A man known by the nickname “Casper” for his ability to evade law enforcement has officially lost his power to vanish, just days before Halloween.
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, detectives with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Vice and Narcotics Unit arrested Richard Hamlet, 44, on drug trafficking charges following a traffic stop in Spring Hill.
The arrest occurred in the area of Madeira Street and Lake Forest Avenue. HCSO initiated the stop because Hamlet was allegedly failing to maintain a single lane and for illegal window tint. The routine stop quickly escalated when K9 Nyko was brought to the scene and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.
A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a significant haul. Detectives seized approximately 212 grams of a crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. In addition to the large quantity of meth, authorities also found marijuana and several pieces of drug paraphernalia.
Richard Hamlet was immediately arrested and booked into the Hernando County Detention Center. He faces serious charges, including Trafficking in Methamphetamine and related offenses. Hamlet is currently being held on no-bond status.
The Sheriff’s Office statement highlighted the timing of the arrest, noting that while the rest of the county is dressing up as ghosts and goblins, the only “Casper” in custody won’t be going anywhere.
“The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to keeping our streets safe and ensuring that those who deal in dangerous narcotics are held accountable,” the office concluded. “Tricks, just enforcement.”
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