A fugitive wanted on drug charges in Daytona Beach was found hiding in an attic Wednesday in Deltona, where deputies climbed up and took him into custody along with a large amount of fentanyl, crack cocaine, a gun, ammunition and cash.
In total, detectives recovered about 358.5 grams fentanyl, 3.9 grams crack, $10,600 cash, along with a 9mm pistol and extended magazine.
Zacheus King, 30, was extricated from the attic (see photo below) at Quail Drive after detectives and deputies made several announcements and conducted a thorough search, first using a camera, then climbing a ladder into the attic space to find him. Eventually, a section of ceiling partially collapsed under King but he was taken into custody without further incident.
Detectives were there with Daytona Beach police, who had warrants for King for sale of heroin and cocaine, and knew he’d been at the house over the past several days. Police were very familiar with King, as he was arrested by Daytona Beach Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team in April for trafficking in methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, fleeing and resisting.
On Wednesday, when a man exited the Deltona house with a Chick-fil-A bag and got into a vehicle, detectives moved in and detained him. Initially thought to be King, that man turned out to be 38-year-old Antonio Mallory. It was later discovered the Chick-fil-A bag contained 274 grams of a substance that tested presumptive positive for fentanyl.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for the house and entered to search for King. In the garage, they noticed what appeared to be a fresh handprint on the attic access and insulation on the vehicle underneath it. A little less than 30 minutes later, after searching the attic, they found King and took him into custody.
Also in the attic, detectives found two more bags of drugs, one containing about 18 grams of fentanyl and another containing about 32 grams of fentanyl packaged in small baggies for sale, and 3.9 grams of crack cocaine.
A safe in the master bedroom contained another trafficking amount of fentanyl along with a gun, ammunition and cash.
King was arrested on his outstanding warrants along with additional charges of trafficking in fentanyl, possession of crack cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and resisting arrest without violence. He was transported to the Volusia County Branch jail, where he was held without bond as he was already out on bond on previous charges.
Mallory was charged with trafficking in fentanyl and transported to the Branch jail with a bond of $500,000.
Central Florida deputies and detectives with the Deltona Narcotics Enforcement Team and West Volusia Narcotics Task Force were assisted by the Daytona Beach PD Violent Criminal Apprehension Team throughout the incident.
