Man Arrested After Dropping Bag of Drugs During West Melbourne School Drop-Off

quick-thinking staff member noticed the bag and immediately alerted law enforcement

41-year-old Gary Anthony Heslop accidentally dropped a clear bag containing a white substance from his pants

BREVARD COUNTY • WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – A routine morning drop-off at a local preschool took a shocking turn when a parent allegedly dropped a bag of illegal narcotics, leading to his arrest on multiple drug charges.

According to a West Melbourne Police spokesperson, the incident occurred at Mustard Seed Kidz on Eber Road when 41-year-old Gary Anthony Heslop accidentally dropped a clear bag containing a white substance from his pants.

A quick-thinking staff member noticed the bag and immediately alerted law enforcement.

West Melbourne Police officers responded to the scene and, upon examination, discovered that the bag contained seven smaller packets of a substance that later tested positive for cocaine.

After reviewing surveillance footage, officers confirmed Heslop as the individual who dropped the narcotics.

When he later returned to the school, officers were waiting and took him into custody without incident. A subsequent search uncovered additional illegal substances in his possession.

Charges Filed Against Heslop include:

■ Possession of Cocaine (7.04 grams) with Intent to Sell within 1,000 feet of a school
■ Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell within 1,000 feet of a school (8.18 grams of opiate pills)
■ Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription (2.03 grams of Oxycodone)
■ Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Heslop is currently being held at the Brevard County Jail on a $33,000 bond.

Authorities emphasized the importance of keeping schools safe from drugs and commended the Mustard Seed Kidz staff for their vigilance and quick response.

“Drugs have no place in our community, especially near our schools. We appreciate the efforts of those who took swift action to protect our children,” said a West Melbourne Police Department spokesperson.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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