Photo via Hardee County Sheriff's Office/FacebookLast week a Florida man was taken into custody after officers found illegal drugs and a live gator in his vehicle.

According to the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies found "narcotics" on Anthony Richardson after he was pulled over for a traffic stop in the area of S.R. 64 and Pioneer Park in Zolfo Springs on Thursday, July 4. However, before searching his car, Richardson told the arresting officers that he also had a live baby alligator in the front seat.

Officers then found the animal in a black bag with its mouth taped shut.

Richardson admitted to officers that he did not have a trapping or hunting license, and that the gator was given to him by a friend. He also told deputies he planned on releasing the gator into a nearby river.

After booking Richardson into the Hardee County Jail for multiple drug charges and illegally possessing or capturing an alligator, the deputies say the gator was “safely released” into Peace River after it was examined by Florida wildlife officials.





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