United States Drug Enforcement Administration

TAMPA, Fla. –Antonio Nunez III (34, Palmetto) was sentenced to 20 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Nunez had pleaded guilty on October 31, 2019.         

According to court documents, beginning no later than March 2016 and continuing through May 2019, Nunez and his co-defendant, Antoine Waiters, conspired to possess heroin, fentanyl, and other controlled substances and sell the drugs from a trap house located in Palmetto, Florida. Over the course of the conspiracy, Nunez and Waiters distributed at least one kilogram of heroin and at least 400 grams of fentanyl and sold fentanyl to confidential sources on multiple occasions. More than $30,000 in U.S. currency, assorted jewelry, and two vehicles were forfeited as proceeds of the conspiracy.         

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Tampa District Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bradenton Police Department. It was prosecuted by U.S. 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.

This case is the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation entitled “Hot Batch.”  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community, please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA online Tip Line at Submit a Tip | DEA.gov.  Concerns about prescription drug abuse or diversion can be reported to the DEA through this link: RX Abuse Online Reporting (usdoj.gov).

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