A Pasco County man has been sentenced to a substantial prison term for his role in drug trafficking, U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday handed down a sentence of over 17 years to Gary Anthony Andrews for his involvement in the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine; this was reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Andrews, 34, entered a guilty plea on September 27, 2024, acknowledging his participation in a conspiracy to distribute significant quantities of narcotics.
Detailed in court documents, Andrews was apprehended by Drug Enforcement Administration agents as he was caught on March 11, 2024, en route to a drug sale with two young children in his car, he was found in possession of approximately 897 grams of methamphetamine and oxycodone pills, furthermore, investigators recovered more methamphetamine and amounts of crack cocaine at his residence, along with loaded firearms—one reportedly having a spent casing. The DEA, in collaboration with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, led the investigation that unveiled Andrews's role as a primary supplier of drugs in the Tampa area, from October 2023 until his arrest.
Over the span of those five months, Andrews was deemed responsible for circulating large volumes of drugs, the court documents making note of 2,491.8 grams of methamphetamine, 84.2 grams of fentanyl, and 9.9 grams of cocaine. In addition to his prison sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of two firearms found during the home search.
The case against Andrews was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman and represents a considerable victory for the agencies involved in curtailing local drug operations.
