Operation Overdrive in Tampa Leads to Dozens of Arrests and Significant Drug Seizures
TAMPA – Today, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-led joint task force, designed to bring justice to Tampa’s most violent drug traffickers, announced the results of a 5-month, concentrated law enforcement effort. Deanne Reuter, the DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge (SAC), and Roger Handberg, United States Attorney (USA) for the Middle District of Florida (MDFL), joined Tampa Police Department (PD) Chief Lee Bercaw, and representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Tampa Field Division, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Tampa Field Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Tampa Regional Operations Center (TBROC), and the State Attorney’s Office (SAO) - 13th Judicial Circuit, to make the announcement this morning in Tampa, Florida.
In 2022, DEA initiated Operation Overdrive, a data-driven, intelligence-led approach using national crime statistics and CDC data to identify hot spots of drug-related violence and overdose deaths across the country, in order to devote its law enforcement resources to where they will have the most impact: the communities where criminal drug networks are causing the most harm.
Starting in October 2022 the DEA Tampa District Office-led team of local, state, and federal partners mapped, identified, arrested, and prosecuted more than a dozen drug-traffickers in three (3) investigations under Operation Overdrive Tampa. Beginning in October 2022 through March 2023, investigators seized 2.1 kilograms of cocaine, 4.07 kilograms of fentanyl, 3.82 kilograms of methamphetamine, .05 kilograms of oxycodone, .65 kilograms of marijuana, and .82 grams of heroin.
“Inherently, drug trafficking is linked to crime and violence, and no community, including Tampa, is immune. Operation Overdrive is an example of the important work we do together to keep our communities safe,” said Miami DEA Special Agent in Charge Deanne Reuter. “These results are a testament to the dangerous and important work of law enforcement, and the critical role our local, state and federal partner play in supporting their communities.”
"The success of ’Operation Overdrive’ is another example of the power of partnerships," said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "By working together with our federal partners at the DEA, we were able to target the root causes of drug-related violence and overdoses in our community. The results of this joint initiative demonstrate our shared dedication to data-driven policing and our commitment to making Tampa safer, together."
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to reducing violent crime and overdose deaths in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “That goal cannot be accomplished without the hard work and dedication of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts to make the Tampa Bay area safer for its citizens.”
FDLE Tampa Bay Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell said, “Fentanyl continues to be one of the top threats facing Florida and our nation and FDLE continues to tackle the issue head-on. We are committed to taking down entire drug rings and doing all we can to protect our Florida families.”
“I commend our statewide and local law enforcement partners for working collaboratively to tackle the fentanyl crisis that is impacting so many of our communities,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez. “My office will vigorously prosecute drug dealers that are inflicting pain and suffering on families who have lost loved ones due to drug overdose. Together, we will continue to make meaningful strides toward reducing the number of fentanyl deaths and violent crime on the streets of Hillsborough County.”
The DEA Tampa DO and Tampa PD led the Operation Overdrive Tampa investigations with substantial assistance from ATF Tampa, USPIS Tampa, and FDLE – Tampa Bay ROC. The USAO MDFL and SAO – 13th Judicial Circuit handled the prosecutions.
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).
The DEA encourages parents, teachers, care givers, guardians, and children to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com , www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov, and www.dea.gov.
