In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of 33 individuals linked to a network distributing fentanyl and other illicit substances across the county. This six-month probe, a collective effort led by the HCSO Major Violators Section in partnership with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the DEA Orlando Office, has put a substantial dent in the local drug trade.
The investigation revealed that the network had its origins in Puerto Rico, with fentanyl and cocaine finding their pathways into Florida primarily through Orlando, after which they were funneled into Hillsborough County, and beyond. Fernando Elias Rosario Torres, 32, and Elias Xavier Rosario Torres, 26, were found to be orchestrating this illicit symphony from their respective prison cells, aided by contraband cellphones, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
In a twist that reaffirms the adage of 'like father, like son,’ the parents of the incarcerated brothers were reportedly active participants in their criminal endeavors. Elias Rosario Negron, 59, and Enid Torres Berrios, 59, have both been arrested and charged in connection to the drug operation. This family-run network faces charges that range from trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, or methamphetamine to RICO offenses, underscoring the layered and organized hierarchy of their enterprise.
The sweep did not just round up suspects, it also removed lethal doses of fentanyl from the streets – approximately two kilograms of it, an amount with the chilling potential to prevent up to 931,000 overdose deaths. Alongside this ominous haul, detectives also seized two kilograms of cocaine, eight ounces of methamphetamine, two fentanyl presses, five firearms and a sum of $11,257. "This wasn't just a few people selling drugs. This was a network, a business built on death, addiction, and illegal profit," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "I couldn't be more proud of our detectives for their relentless dedication and hard work. This investigation was a huge win, not just for our team but for our entire community," he added, as stated in a news release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
With the support of the S.A.F.E. grant program, both FDLE and HCSO's combined efforts signify not just a victory against this particular network, but also a message of zero tolerance toward drug trafficking within the Tampa Bay region. "Our joint success in dismantling this network is further proof of how our existing partnerships are strengthened, and effective with help from the S.A.F.E. grant program,” Mark Brutnell, FDLE Tampa Bay Special Agent in Charge, remarked, as per the HCSO news release.
