- February 7, 2025
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A Daytona Beach man was arrested after Dilaudid pills, a narcotic, and cocaine, were found in his possession on Monday, Dec. 11, according to the Port Orange Police Department.
Justin Banta, 28, was charged with possessing hydromorphone with the intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a child care facility and possessing cocaine with the intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a child care facility.
Banta, who was on Florida Inmate Release for the sale of narcotics, had been pulled over by a POPD officer after he failed to stop his vehicle before the stop bar and sidewalk. The officer conducted the traffic stop at 4015 Nova Rd. and had called for a K9 officer and his dog before Banta came to a complete stop.
When the K9 officer arrived, a free-air sniff of the vehicle was conducted with the officer's dog. When the first officer told Banta of the sniff, he told the officer there was cannabis in the car. The K9 also alerted to the odor of narcotics in Banta's vehicle. The vehicle was searched and the officer found what looked like small pieces of cannabis residue.
However, the residue was too small to be tested.
Banta was then searched and found to have a clear plastic bag with white pills marked 8 P d, which was identified as Dilaudid, a narcotic. A continued search located another plastic bag, which later tested positive for cocaine.
Officers also found $910 in Banta's pocket, grouped into six $100s, 14 $20s and three $10s, which, according to an incident report, is "consistent with the type and amount of cash carried by people who engage in narcotics sales."
A flip phone was found in Banta's possession in addition to a second phone, which authorities wrote is "common with individuals engaging in illicit activities."
Banta later told the officer he sold cocaine to support his drug addiction.
Banta's charges were increased to first degree felonies as he was found to be in possession of the narcotics, with the intent to sell, while within 1,000 feet of a child care facility — Sandcastle Learning Center.
Banta was also issued a written warning for failure to stop before the stop bar and sidewalk.
Banta was taken to jail with a bond of $20,000.
