"With less than a month until the big game,our covert operations continue,seeking those who choose to sexually exploit others here in our community,said Sheriff Chad Chronister. The exact amount of the payout isnt yet known, but the countys outside legal team estimated Hillsborough could net $50 million to $60 million, according to formulas established for computing damages. Most of the arrests involved drug activity, including charges for possession, sales, conspiracy to sell narcotics, destruction of evidence, felony possession of a firearm, child abuse, receiving stolen property, falsifying evidence, theft, and violation of bail, all being drug related and involving fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, meth, and marijuana. The massive bust was a collaboration between Carroll County, New Hampshire and Maine. 35 people were arrested earlier this week after a drug distribution investigation between police departments and officials in New Hampshire and Maine. Sinful Six arrested in Hillsborough County human East Greenbush to begin enforcing lowered speed limits, Over 3k guns turned in during statewide gun buyback, 14 people hospitalized from collapsed roof, 05/01/2023: Exercise for your umbrellas and wipers. According to federal prosecutors, the traffickers pushed heroin and the deadly synthetic drug fentanyl into the region, causing at least one death. Letsgetstarted. Duringinclement weather, please check wmur closings/delays. Shawn Storer, 30, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine, tampering with physical evidence, driving while license suspended-2nd conviction and outstanding warrant for felony petit theft. From December 7, 2020, through January 9, 2021, HCSO detectives worked undercover posting online ads offering to meet up and make themselves available to be purchased for sex. Not only do drug traffickers sell deadly substances, but their unlawful activities damage the peace and security of our neighborhoods. The goal of S.O.S. Some of the arrests were made for non-drug related offenses, such as probation and bail violations. And then, in the summer of 2021, history nearly repeated itself when someone in her immediate family had a similar scare, and according to Snelling, came very close to death but miraculously survived. It really is almost incomprehensible how extensive the epidemic is, and its hitting us right here in the Tampa Bay area, she said. The purpose of this litigation is not to create some kind of windfall for government, said White. Drug trafficking endangers our community in many different ways, said U.S. Attorney Young. This was the 59th grow house bust of the year, according to the Hillsborough Sheriffs Office. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY Deputies busted their 59th grow house of the year when they Read More They were accused of trafficking in Fentanyl after a search warrant was executed at a St. Petersburg motel, the Pinellas Sheriffs Office said. 47 indicted in hefty Capital Region drug bust led Top Stories / Jun 24, 2021 / 04:38 PM EDT. A total of 71 individuals were arrested during the course of the investigation dubbed Operation Interception, one of many proactive approaches the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office has taken to combat human trafficking leading up to the Super Bowl coming to Tampa in February 2021. The county used attorney Michael Moore, the former Mississippi attorney general, to file suit in 2018 against 14 companies, alleging drug manufacturers helped cause the addiction crisis and violated Floridas Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act by aggressively marketing opioid drugs, overplaying their benefits in treating chronic pain and downplaying their dangers. Additionally, the SAMHSA National Helpline for those seeking help is 1-800-662-4357. The suspected drug traffickers have been arrested and accused of targeting Tampa Bay and Central Florida. Her brother died of a drug overdose in Miami. @bn9 pic.twitter.com/Lg3shh5nQ9. After executing the warrant, officers located a baggie of fentanyl and an apparent drug ledger. In 2016, she got the unexpected phone call no one ever wants. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Police say they seized approximately 250 grams of fentanyl, a quantity of meth, several firearms, and more than $5,000. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Overview Federal prosecutors indicted eleven people on drug trafficking charges. US Attorney. Police arrested and charged Graves with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a drug house. The counts of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine carry a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a maximum fine of $10 million. The county eventually will receive its share of the proceeds through the state of Florida. Abuse of synthetic drugs such as bath salts and synthetic marijuana has become an epidemic. The heroin and fentanyl was trafficked throughout Tampa and Kissimmee, officials said. HILLSBORO, OH (FOX19) - Seven people have been arrested after a drug bust in Highland County. At about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, the Hillsboro Police Department deployed the Hillsboro/Greenfield Special Response Team to execute two search warrants at different locations in the city. The purpose is to get much needed resources on the ground to help with treatment, abatement, and prevention of addiction.. 35 arrested after Snelling shared data with ABC Action News that shows, in the past few years, the spike in overdose deaths in Hillsborough County now exceeds the annual count of traffic fatalities, homicides, and suicides. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. Our goal, as the operation name explains, is to intercept individuals, involved in sexual exploitation before they are able to take advantage of vulnerable individuals, andultimately, to deter others.". WebOQUENDO,FELICITY | 2023-04-28 13:24:00 Hillsborough County, Florida Booking. When consumed, these drugs WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Authorities say a two-year undercover investigation resulted in 85 arrests, the seizure of over $12.8 million worth of drugs, and the dismantling of an international drug trafficking organization The investigation lasted two years and it was a joint investigation between the FBI, The Department of Justice, Tampa Police and the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office Massive Human Trafficking The 11 defendants each face federal charges ofconspiracy and drug distribution. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth. "Their distribution of these deadly drugs heroin and fentanyl resulted in the overdose and deaths of one individual and serious bodily injury of another individual," said Michael Sinacore, Asst. Philip Mathis, 25, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. As part of his plea agreement, he has agreed to forfeit his interest in the property, which is located on East High Street in Manchester. Specifically, on eight separate occasions between October 22, 2019 and November 20, 2020, Manchester police detectives executed search warrants at the residence that resulted in the arrests of people renting rooms from Cicciu who were distributing and using heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and crack cocaine. There were some times throughout the early 2000s and into the 2010s that were not really pretty for our society.. Download our app, California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 11 charged in drug bust headed by FBI and Dept. All of those things have to be addressed, Snelling concluded. Drug The data also shows that in the first six months of 2020, in Hillsborough County, 1,338 calls across all EMS/Fire Rescue were opioid overdose calls treated with Narcan a medicine that rapidly reverses the effects of an overdose compared to 732 in the same six month period in 2019. A murder case without a body? Data from the County Medical Examiner's toxicology lab through September 2020 indicates that fatal overdoses have spiked more than 30%. The one that is causing the most destruction and death is definitely fentanyl, and people are getting that in their drugs, and theyre not even aware of it.. Im happy with the settlement, Commissioner Stacy White said Monday. Police seized fentanyl, meth, firearms, and more than $5,000. drug The Public Affairs Office disseminates A total of 71Johns, or sex buyers, were arrested and charged with soliciting another to commit prostitution or entering/remaining in a place for prostitution. Hillsborough County, FL Mugshots - BUSTEDNEWSPAPER.COM Police arrested Strawder on charges of armed drug trafficking, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance and felon in possession of a firearm. Download it here. Board didnt say why. "We are committed to protecting Hillsborough County. TAMPA, Fla. For Ellen Snelling, its still so surreal. The goal of the so called "Cross-Border Initiative" was to catch individuals distributing heroin, fentanyl, opioids, and other illicit drugs. When county officials announced the lawsuit in 2018, they shared data showing Hillsborough reported 579 babies born addicted to drugs the most among Floridas 67 counties, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). ", Tampa Bay Florida's #1 Hit Music Channel and home of The joe Show. We will continue to go after people who choose to deal poison in our community. Renee Delgado-Razo, 29, possession of methamphetamine and firearm with an altered serial number. Indictments were handed down last month and the arrests were made this week. In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. And got a phone call that he had overdosed and died I just I cant describe how it was just horrible.. Authorities did not release much information because they said more arrests and indictments could be coming and they didnt want to compromise this case. When consumed, these drugs mimic the effects of controlled substances and are often manufactured to appear similar to illicit drugs. Complete this form to report the marketing, sale or manufacture of synthetic drugs. Latest News, Press Releases and Events | HCSO, Tampa FL 22, 2016. This started as early as 2016 and continued well into August of this year. Rain likely. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Hillsborough nixes gopher tortoise safeguards. We will find you, and you will be arrested. Dozens of people have been indicted in the bust of a major narcotic trafficking ring that operated on Long Island, including from out of two day care centers, TAMPA, Fla. Federal prosecutors have indcited 11 people on drug trafficking charges after a two-year investigation. Census Bureau QuickFacts Eric Paul, 29, charged with trafficking of methamphetamine. Motorcyclist Recovering After Crashing Into Clearwater Police Vehicle, Broadband Internet Coming To Rural Areas Of Hillsborough, Pasco County, Wimauma Infant's Death Ruled Homicide; Mother Charged With Murder, Salute To Scholars Scholarship Applications Open, AI Workshop: How Top-Producers and Non Techie Realtors Can Grow their Biz, 2-Year-Old Daughter Of Bucs Linebacker Shaquil Barrett Drowns Sunday, Bloomingdale-Riverview Area: 5 Freshest Homes For Sale, Gator Rescued In Philly, Manatee Center Breaks Ground: FL Good News. Eric Williams, 36, Charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine, giving false name to law enforcement, outstanding warrant for trespass, larceny with relation to utility. Snelling said the Tampa Bay area is generally well-suited with a myriad of drug treatment programs, but she believes more can be done regionally and nationally, including better education starting at an earlier age, more funding for treatment and prevention, better access to quick treatment, and stronger border security to better prevent the flow of fentanyl from Mexico. Iwant to make it very clear, ifyou are planning to engage in the sexual exploitation of others, Im urging you to think twice. A three-month-long investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office last year led to the rescue of five victims from an alleged sex trafficking ring. The six men were also charged with racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), which can enhance the penalties. "When it comes to drug and drug-related crimes in our community, our deputies work tirelessly to find the source of the problem, and through investigations like this one, generate big results," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. The proceeds will finance treatment programs and other efforts to combat addiction. Residents DeSantis v. Disney: Who has the edge in a long, drawn-out fight? Chance of rain 100%. 100 bags The Florida Department of Health reported 208 deaths from opioid overdoses in Hillsborough during the first six months of 2020.