A traffic stop for a counterfeit license plate at a Florida I-95 rest area on October 2, 2025, rapidly escalated into a major narcotics bust and the apprehension of a wanted fugitive from Georgia, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO).
The SJSO Task Force conducted the stop at the southbound I-95 rest area after identifying a vehicle bearing a counterfeit Florida temporary license plate. Deputies made contact with the driver, 36-year-old Roshad Palmer, and subsequently searched the vehicle.
The search uncovered an extensive cache of illegal narcotics and related paraphernalia, indicating a large-scale drug trafficking operation.
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The recovered items included:
- Over 300 grams of marijuana.
- More than 120 individual containers of various narcotics packaged for sale and transport, some of which were bagged in a manner clearly intended to conceal odor.
- 22.7 grams of Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride pills.
- 0.4 grams of Acetaminophen and Dextroamphetamine pills.
- 12 bottles of Promethazine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, consistent with intent to sell.
- Two fictitious driver’s licenses.
Palmer was immediately arrested and faces a multitude of charges, including Possession of Marijuana over 20g, Intent to Sell Marijuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance without Prescription, Intent to Sell Controlled Substance, Possession/Display of a Forged Driver’s License, Possession of Counterfeit License Plate, Possession of Harmful New Legend Drug without Prescription, Possession with Intent to Sell Legend Drug without Prescription, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Vehicle Known to Sell Drugs.
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Further investigation revealed that Palmer is a fugitive from justice, having failed to appear in court in Georgia for a separate set of felony charges.
Those charges include Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Scheduled 2 Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony.
Palmer is currently being held at the St. Johns County Jail without bond and is awaiting extradition to face the outstanding charges in Georgia. The SJSO praised the Task Force for their vigilance in transforming a minor traffic infraction into the successful disruption of a drug distribution network and the capture of a wanted felon.
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