In addition, there were 916 non-fatal opioid-related hospital emergency room visits and 450 hospitalizations in the county during the first nine months of 2020. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrations Tampa office worked together on the investigation, dubbed Operation I was actually at Universal Studios. Register to receive time-sensitive messages about emergencies and certain non-emergency events straight from us to you. The counts of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a fine of $5 million. Im happy with the settlement, Commissioner Stacy White said Monday. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? 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. In 2016, she got the unexpected phone call no one ever wants. 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. 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. 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. 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. Six arrested in drug sweep in greater Nashua area Iwant to make it very clear, ifyou are planning to engage in the sexual exploitation of others, Im urging you to think twice. Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren announced in a news conference Thursday the creation of a program designed to expand the rehabilitative options available to low-level drug offenders. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorneys Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua. Dawna Gantvoort, 45, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine and controlled substance. Published Jul. Philip Mathis, 25, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. 349 grams of powder cocaine. You know, I know the devastation it causes to a family.. Booking Details name OQUENDO,FELICITY dob 2003-09-30 age 19 years old height 4'11 hair BRO Police say they seized approximately 250 grams of fentanyl, a quantity of meth, several firearms, and more than $5,000. 35 arrested after 100 bags Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter. Request services from Hillsborough County online 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week 24/7 online development permitting solution. 47 indicted in hefty Capital Region drug bust led Top Stories / Jun 24, 2021 / 04:38 PM EDT. The premises were managed and controlled by Cicciu and made available for others to unlawfully store, distribute, and use controlled substances. 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. 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, Hillsborough Countys share of an opioid litigation settlement could reach $60 million for treatment, prevention and other efforts to combat the decades-long addiction crisis. 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. This is particularly so when the product that the company manufactures, distributes and sells is a narcotic.. Like any major sporting event, the Super Bowl should not be a venue where these types of crimes occur on the sidelines, whether it's before, during, or after the game,said Sheriff Chronister. Heroin, Meth, $30K Seized In Drug Raids; 9 Arrested: Police Indictments were handed down last month and the arrests were made this week. The heroin and fentanyl was trafficked throughout Tampa and Kissimmee, officials said. Monitoring data trends helps assess increases or decreases and aids in targeted prevention opportunities for those most at risk. Police searched several rooms under Strawder's name under a search warrant. Published Oct. 29, 2020. There were some times throughout the early 2000s and into the 2010s that were not really pretty for our society.. Its devastating: Castro County estimates 18,000 Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Snelling said fentanyl, a powerful opioid that often contaminates other drugs, was to blame in both cases. The goal of S.O.S. TAMPA Hillsborough County for decades has offered treatment in lieu of jail or prison for some defendants accused of minor drug drug Police arrested Strawder on charges of armed drug trafficking, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance and felon in possession of a firearm. of Justice, Authorities said trafficking took place in Tampa, Kissimmee, At least one person died of an overdose and others were sickened. As a practicing pharmacist, Ive watched this epidemic play out first hand. 11 Charged in Investigation Into Drug Ring - baynews9.com ", Tampa Bay Florida's #1 Hit Music Channel and home of The joe Show. On January 11, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Sheriff Chad Chronister announced the results of a month-long operation aimed at targeting and deterring human trafficking in Hillsborough County. Ellen Snelling, with the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, has lived the record-breaking spike of overdose deaths, Devastated by drug overdoses, Tampa advocate prays deadly spike will end in 2022. Her brother died of a drug overdose in Miami. Download it here. 273 grams of crack cocaine. Female detectives posed as prostitutes on the streets. TAMPA, Fla. For Ellen Snelling, its still so surreal. BLOOMINGDALE-RIVERVIEW Nine people face drug charges after heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and $30,000 cash was seized during police searches, officials said. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. The purpose is to get much needed resources on the ground to help with treatment, abatement, and prevention of addiction.. A month-long investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office led investigators to a 28-year-old Riverview man who sold drugs from his home, authorities said in a press release. RELATED: Portland man leads police on hour-long chase; now faces charges in connection with domestic violence incident, RELATED: Traffic stop leads to drug bust in Lewiston; man out on bail found with more than $2K in suspected drug proceeds, RELATED: Maine State Police confiscate almost 2 oz of cocaine from truck; driver arrested, RELATED: 3 people from Maine charged for meth; MDEA seizes $60k in drugs, RELATED: Two Maine men found passed out in running car charged with trafficking fentanyl, other drugs, Example video title will go here for this video. 35 arrested after multiple drug busts across Maine, New Hampshire border. According to federal prosecutors, the traffickers pushed heroin and the deadly synthetic drug fentanyl into the region, causing at least one death. Floridas dental deserts leave millions without access to oral care, Floridas graduating seniors shouldnt face different rules | Letters, No charges filed in the shooting death of 19-year-old University of Tampa student, Hillsborough announces details of opioid lawsuit, South Dakota motorcycle rally carries COVID cases across 5 states. drug trafficking ring Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. We will find you, and you will be arrested. "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. And got a phone call that he had overdosed and died I just I cant describe how it was just horrible.. Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, he has now been held responsible for his crimes.. Times staff. Making sure that victims of federal crimes are treated with compassion, fairness and respect. We will continue to go after people who choose to deal poison in our community. Polk sheriff: 85 arrested, $12.8M in drugs seized after wiretap 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. 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.. Cicciu is scheduled to be sentenced on August 25, 2022. HCSO installs drop boxes for unused, unwanted medication Not only do drug traffickers sell deadly substances, but their unlawful activities damage the peace and security of our neighborhoods. Some individuals received additional charges, including drug possession. Drug trafficking endangers our community in many different ways, said U.S. Attorney Young. It was right before Christmas, she remembered. It happened at a home on the 200 block of Carline Road. Ashley Purvis, 30, charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine. Frequently requested statistics for: Hillsborough County, Florida. The Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance website includes a list of programs available in our area. "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. Morbidity and mortality due to substance use, misuse, and overdose have been rising steadily over the past two decades. Should I tell my neighbors to stop skinny dipping? County drug bust 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. Police say more arrests are expected and that further joint efforts are planned. To think of losing anyone in your family over a drug is, you know, its just awful, and it can cause nightmares, and it makes you worry constantly, said Snelling. 47 indicted in hefty Capital Region drug bust led by Attorney General Authorities did not release much information because they said more arrests and indictments could be coming and they didnt want to compromise this case. Right now, so many families are being devastated nationwide. That statistic not only alarms Snelling as someone whos lived through the crisis but also as someone who battles it daily as the board chair of the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance. Aiken County By Dave Jordan Hillsborough County PUBLISHED 12:10 PM ET Sep. 03, 2020 TAMPA, Fla. Federal prosecutors have indcited 11 people on drug trafficking charges Tampa, FL 33602. The massive bust was a collaboration between Carroll County, New Hampshire and Maine. Additionally, the SAMHSA National Helpline for those Heroin, Meth, $30K Seized In Drug Raids; 9 Arrested: Police Letsgetstarted. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office Massive Human Trafficking By allowing dangerous drug dealers to do business inside his building, this defendant jeopardized public safety and broke the law. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) Six men in Hillsborough County are accused of exploiting drug addiction to force women into prostitution. 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. "We are committed to protecting Hillsborough County. Hillsborough Countys share of an opioid litigation settlement could reach $60 million for treatment, prevention and other efforts to combat the decades-long addiction crisis. The Public Affairs Office disseminates WebThe National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general