United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Tampa, Fla. – Thirteen individuals have been sentenced in connection with their involvement in an interstate cocaine distribution conspiracy. During the investigation of this case, law enforcement seized more than seven kilograms of cocaine; nine firearms, including an assault rifle and shotgun; hundreds of rounds of ammunition; approximately $40,000 in drug proceeds; and a currency counter.

According to court documents, from Nov. 27, 2017, through April 18, 2018, leaders of the organization oversaw the shipment of more than 20 kilograms of cocaine into Florida from Puerto Rico. After packaging the cocaine for distribution, the conspirators provided the drugs to street level distributors who then sold it in Tampa, Orlando and elsewhere.

The following individuals have been sentenced in connection with this case.

“As a result of the collaborative efforts and strong partnership between our local, state and federal partners, justice has indeed been served by ensuring that these convicted drug traffickers are no longer left on the playing field to inflict harm to the law abiding citizens of the community,” said DEA Miami Division Special Agent in Charge Adolphus P. Wright. “We remain committed and will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners throughout the region to keep our communities safe from illicit drug trafficking and the associated dangers which follow.”

“This investigation represents our commitment to keeping communities safe from destructive drug trafficking enterprises,” said FBI Tampa Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Bryan Vorndran. “I commend the federal, state and local law enforcement cooperation in getting the job done and disrupting a major supplier of cocaine in Central Florida.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to eradicating illegal drugs and their proceeds from the U.S. mail,” said U.S. Postal Inspector Damien Kraebel. “Dismantling this conspiracy furthers our mission to help protect employees and customers from the violence related to drug trafficking, and to inhibit the spread of illegal substances into neighborhoods across America.”

“The diligent work done by law enforcement to bring down this illegal operation should be commended,” said FDLE’s Tampa Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell. “FDLE is proud to be a part of this effort to take drugs and guns off of our streets, and help make all of us safer.”

“Taking down a sophisticated criminal operation requires teamwork,” said Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan. “Our streets are safer today due to efforts of our agencies working together. We’re grateful to the U.S. Attorney for the successful prosecution that will put these individuals behind bars for a long time.”

These cases were investigated by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. Participating agencies in this OCDETF operation included the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the Plant City Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The cases were prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

More information about this case can be found at https://www.flmd.uscourts.gov or https://ecf.flmd.uscourts.gov.

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