Crime & Safety
Cocaine Trafficking Ring Bust Leads to 'Outstanding Squad' Award
Concealed in tin cans, cocaine seized in the undercover operation netted some 259 kilograms of the illicit drug, as well as some 6,000 pounds of marijuana and about $800,000, according to the HIllsborough County Sheriff's Office.
The busting of a cocaine trafficking ring moving drugs through Hillsborough County concealed in metal cans led to this quarter’s Outstanding Squad Award for 23 detectives, one civilian and two special agents.
Issued by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at its fourth quarter Awards Recognition Ceremony on Dec. 14., the “Outstanding Squad Award” went to the Major Violators Unit and Tin “Delta” Team.
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In announcing the award, Col. James Previtera, the ceremony's emcee, noted that with surveillance of both locations and suspects and phone monitoring, “valuable information” over several months was collected.
This work, he added, led to the seizure of approximately 259 kilograms of cocaine and 6,000 pounds of marijuana and roughly $800,000 in U.S. currency.
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“As a result, other investigations [into similar operations] were opened in cities beyond this area,” Previtera said.
With assistance from the Tampa Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, “the illegal narcotics ring was dismantled,” Previtera said. “The team is commended for its service and dedication to the continued battle against narcotics and drug trafficking.”
(Editor's Note: Squad and team members are not being identified as to the undercover nature of their work.)
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