Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has charged 33 individuals involved in a significant drug trafficking operation in Hillsborough County, Florida. The group is accused of distributing fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamines across the Tampa Bay area. Law enforcement agencies seized over 66 ounces of fentanyl, more than 73 ounces of cocaine, and eight ounces of methamphetamine during the investigation.
“Because of the hard work of our law enforcement partners, enough fentanyl to kill 931,000 Floridians was taken off the streets,” stated Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Let this operation serve as a warning to anyone who dares to sell this poison in Florida: the rule of law will prevail, and you will be found and brought to justice.”
The charges include fentanyl trafficking or conspiracy to traffic fentanyl for fifteen defendants and cocaine trafficking or conspiracy to traffic cocaine for nineteen defendants. Three individuals are already incarcerated on unrelated charges. Additional charges involve trafficking or conspiracy to traffic illegal substances or RICO violations.
This investigation resulted from collaboration between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Office of Statewide Prosecution will handle cases against several defendants including Edward James III, Elias Rosario Negron, Enid Torres Berrios, Jose Alexie Santiago, Sidney Mandrell Hall, Jerald Jerome Martin, Angel Garcia among others. Charges range from conspiracy to traffic illegal drugs and unlawful use of communication devices to RICO violations.
Three other suspects remain at large but will face charges by OSP once apprehended.
