PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Nearly every member of a 13-person interstate drug trafficking organization has been arrested after bringing in "significant" amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to Pasco and Pinellas counties, authorities said. As a result, the entire operation has been "dismantled."
More than a kilogram and a half of cocaine and more than a kilogram of methamphetamine were seized on Jan. 18 by investigators.
The multi-agency investigation, comprised of Pasco County Sheriff's Office deputies, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, United States Postal Inspection Service personnel and Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies successfully dismantled the drug trafficking ring.
According to Middle District of Florida U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg, the drug trafficking organization operated in both Pasco and Pinellas counties. Handberg said 35-year-old Daniel Carrillo of Weeki Wachee was the leader of this organization.
"For over a year, this organization trafficked in significant quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine," Handberg said during a news conference. "Dangerous drugs that were distributed in Pasco and Pinellas counties. But not any longer."
For more than a year, Carrillo and others worked together to traffic and distribute cocaine and methamphetamine into the Tampa Bay area, Handberg said. As the U.S. Attorney put it, the organization was a "family affair," explaining that seven of the 13 people arrested are related to either Carrillo or his significant other, 32-year-old Betsy Trinidad.
Handberg added that both Carrillo and Trinidad's mothers were part of the organization. Trinidad's mother, 53-year-old Jacqueline Navarro, was reportedly a drug dealer who was supplied through the organization. Handberg said Navarro sold cocaine multiple times to an undercover officer and was found in possession of more than 400 grams of methamphetamine.
Carrillo's mother, 60-year-old Lucy Carrillo Gonzalez, reportedly helped Carrillo in ordering the organization's cocaine supply from two of her relatives.
Another of Carrillo's relatives, who lives in Puerto Rico, also supplied cocaine to the drug organization via the mail. One of the breakthroughs in this case came from the interception of a drug parcel in the mail by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
"The arrests in this case have dismantled this drug trafficking organization and have stopped the flow of cocaine and methamphetamine being distributed by it," Handberg said.
One person is still at large but has a warrant out for their arrest. For details on those arrested and their charges, click here.
Handberg said this takedown "undoubtedly" saved lives, adding that the most recent data from Florida medical examiners shows cocaine and methamphetamine ranked No. 2 and 3 in drug-related deaths in the state.
Watch the full news conference below or by clicking here.