The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, following a five-month investigative effort, has dismantled a complex operation run by the Latin Kings gang. Dubbed "Operation No Good Secrets," law enforcement aimed to neutralize the gang's influence, which has spread across Hillsborough County and further. The initiative was a response to the gang's involvement in drug trafficking and organized criminal activities that have produced widespread harm in affected communities.
According to a statement by Sheriff Chad Chronister, the operation reached its climax on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, with four court-approved search warrants served at various locations including Brandon, Tampa, Pasco County, and "Secrets Gentlemen's Club," an adult entertainment venue. Prior to the raids, undercover detectives were able to make multiple drug transactions at the club. "They don’t just deal in drugs and weapons; they deal in devastation," Sheriff Chronister told the public in an indictment of the Latin Kings' operations.
Thirteen individuals ended up in handcuffs, among them seven documented members of the Latin Kings, four associates, and two individuals with connections to the criminal network. High-profile figures within the operation, such as Ian Dunn and Julian Finlay, face severe charges ranging from trafficking in cocaine to multiple RICO-related offenses. Jovani Latalladi, a documented gang member, also faces serious charges including weapons offenses and drug trafficking.
The Sheriff's Office's haul from the operation included more than just the arrests, with an array of narcotics, firearms, and assets seized. Detectives recovered 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, over a kilogram of cocaine and a variety of other substances including fentanyl, as per the details disclosed in the Sheriff's Office press release. Sheriff Chronister praised his team, saying, "With patience, precision, and perseverance, the brave men and women of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office executed this operation flawlessly." Assorted assets such as cash, a gang manifesto, and a 2021 BMW X4 were also seized during the raids.
As the investigation remains active, the Sheriff's Office anticipates additional arrests and charges, including more RICO and Conspiracy to Commit RICO counts. These continuing efforts exemplify the sheriff's pledge to maintain surveillance and to rigorously pursue gangs operating within the territory of Hillsborough County.
