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. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Iwant to make it very clear, ifyou are planning to engage in the sexual exploitation of others, Im urging you to think twice. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. We will continue to go after people who choose to deal poison in our community. 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 Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. Overview. Its almost like you cant comprehend it, said Snelling. It happened at a home on the 200 block of Carline Road. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter. According to federal prosecutors, the traffickers pushed heroin and the deadly synthetic drug fentanyl into the region, causing at least one death. Police served a search warrant on Cody Graves' home on May 20 and found methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a gun inside his home. Total employment, percent change, 2020-2021-1.7%: Total nonemployer establishments, 2019: 148,720: All employer firms, Reference year 2017: 29,153: Men-owned employer firms, The collaborative effort started between six to twelve months ago, police said. 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. 11 Charged in Investigation Into Drug Ring - baynews9.com drug Some of the arrests were made for non-drug related offenses, such as probation and bail violations. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY Deputies busted their 59th grow house of the year when theyRead More Pinellas Sheriff Charges Three in Drug Trafficking Case They were "We are committed to protecting Hillsborough County. POLK COUNTY, Fla. A wiretap investigation that spanned about nine months helped lead deputies to a countywide drug bust in Polk County. According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 31, 2020, Manchester police detectives obtained a state search warrant for Ciccius residence based on surveillance and post-arrest statements from both buyers and suppliers of drugs. Police arrested and charged Graves with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a drug house. Letsgetstarted. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrations Tampa office worked together on the investigation, dubbed Operation Latest News, Press Releases and Events | HCSO, Tampa FL After personal tragedy, advocate hopes drug overdose 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. 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. 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. 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. 273 grams of crack cocaine. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. US Attorney. Her hope is that things do get better next year to prevent more families from experiencing what she did twice: a brother shell never get back and another family member who almost became one of more than 100,000. Back in November, the CDC announced that drug overdose deaths across the nation topped 100,000 from April 2020 to April 2021, which is a record-breaking amount. Authorities did not release much information because they said more arrests and indictments could be coming and they didnt want to compromise this case. Here's What Bloomingdale-Riverview Moms Really Want For Mother's Day! Three months before Hillsborough filed its suit, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi announced she had filed the most comprehensive lawsuit in the country against the largest manufacturers and distributors of opioids, blaming them for creating an opioid crisis that has killed more than 10,000 Floridians. @bn9 pic.twitter.com/Lg3shh5nQ9. Bruins' season ends in Game 7 loss to Panthers, Maine veterans experience hero's welcome after first Honor Flight trip of the year, Many Maine towns see inches of rain during strong spring storm, Many Maine towns see inches of rain during spring storm, Portland man leads police on hour-long chase; now faces charges in connection with domestic violence incident, Traffic stop leads to drug bust in Lewiston; man out on bail found with more than $2K in suspected drug proceeds, Maine State Police confiscate almost 2 oz of cocaine from truck; driver arrested, 3 people from Maine charged for meth; MDEA seizes $60k in drugs, Two Maine men found passed out in running car charged with trafficking fentanyl, other drugs. Polk sheriff: 85 arrested, $12.8M in drugs seized after wiretap Right now, so many families are being devastated nationwide. Hillsborough program aims to expand success of drug treatment Times staff. 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. When consumed, these drugs mimic the effects of controlled substances and are often manufactured to appear similar to illicit drugs. Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, he has now been held responsible for his crimes.. Register to receive time-sensitive messages about emergencies and certain non-emergency events straight from us to you. AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Thirteen people are under arrest in Warrenville after a drug bust Tuesday. "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. 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. 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. Back in November, the CDC announced that drug overdose deaths across the nation topped 100,000 from April 2020 to April 2021, which is a record-breaking amount. Snellings biggest plea is for those who need help to seek it out quickly. Six arrested in drug sweep in greater Nashua area ", Tampa Bay Florida's #1 Hit Music Channel and home of The joe Show. In 2018, Cicciu purchased a residential building in Manchester. A murder case without a body? Download it here. Her brother died of a drug overdose in Miami. Published Jul. 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. Drug trafficking endangers our community in many different ways, said U.S. Attorney Young. Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office Massive Human Trafficking 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. 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. Making sure that victims of federal crimes are treated with compassion, fairness and respect. 424 bags of fentanyl. Sheriff Chronister said during Monday's announcement, by continuing to conduct undercover operations targeting Johns, his hope is that both residents and visitors of Hillsborough County the week of the big game, including those traveling specifically to engage in human trafficking, will learn in advance that Hillsborough County has a zero-tolerance for such activity. 2022 is going to be my prediction, and I mean Im just praying and hoping that thats the year were going to start turning this around," she said. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. 100 bags 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. United States Department of Justice Sinful Six arrested in Hillsborough County human In response, Hillsborough County adopted an ordinance to prohibit the possession, use, sale, distribution, production, or manufacture of synthetic drugs. Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. Latin Kings gang leaders among 21 arrested in The massive bust was a collaboration between Carroll County, New Hampshire and Maine. 47 indicted in hefty Capital Region drug bust led by Attorney General Separately, the countys litigation against Purdue Pharma the maker of OxyContin and Dilaudid retailers Walgreens and CVS and seven other companies continues. This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). The suspects, Manchester, NH (03109) Today. On one of these occasions, officers also located several assault-style weapons, a handgun, and brass knuckles. Rain likely. It was right before Christmas, she remembered. By allowing dangerous drug dealers to do business inside his building, this defendant jeopardized public safety and broke the law. 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. The way the world is right now that one pill if it is not from your doctor prescription from your pharmacy youre taking a huge chance with your life," she added. Well deliver the latest news and information you need to know every weekday morning. We know from past experiences with major sporting events that there will be some who travel for the exclusive purpose of taking advantage of women and children. 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.. Duringinclement weather, please check wmur closings/delays. 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. TAMPA, Fla. For Ellen Snelling, its still so surreal. Abuse of synthetic drugs such as bath salts and synthetic marijuana has become an epidemic. Renee Delgado-Razo, 29, possession of methamphetamine and firearm with an altered serial number. Dawna Gantvoort, 45, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine and controlled substance. Police seized fentanyl, meth, firearms, and more than $5,000. The proceeds will finance treatment programs and other efforts to combat addiction. Police seized fentanyl, meth, firearms, and more than $5,000. Investigators say they were trafficking heroin and fentanyl in Tampa and Kissimmee. 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. Albany PD: 18 arrested with drugs, guns, money - NEWS10 ABC Drug 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. The premises were managed and controlled by Cicciu and made available for others to unlawfully store, distribute, and use controlled substances. CONCORD - Michael Cicciu, 42, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today. Heroin, Meth, $30K Seized In Drug Raids; 9 Arrested: Police Female detectives posed as prostitutes on the streets. Julius Lane, 34, Hillsborough County House of Correction, charged with sale of a controlled drug (3 counts); Tommy Rodgers, 29, Middleton County Jail, Middleton, Mass., charged with sale of a controlled drug (2 counts). As a practicing pharmacist, Ive watched this epidemic play out first hand. When consumed, these drugs Some individuals received additional charges, including drug possession. I was actually at Universal Studios. Services for pregnant women and inmates, education, treatment programs, expanding social services, training for first responders and others efforts are some of the uses identified by the memorandum to be considered by commissioners. This started as early as 2016 and continued well into August of this year. Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office Massive Human Trafficking Bust. Police searched several rooms under Strawder's name under a search warrant. The Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance website includes a list of programs available in our area. It really is almost incomprehensible how extensive the epidemic is, and its hitting us right here in the Tampa Bay area, she said.