Fentanyl, Cocaine Trafficker From Holiday Sentenced: DEA

TAMPA, FL — A 51-year-old Holiday man has been sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of distributing fentanyl and cocaine, authorities said.

Edwin Hill, aka “Z” was arrested on Sept. 27, 2018, and pleaded guilty on Oct. 11 to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 1 kilogram or more of heroin, four counts of distribution of fentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of firearms while drug trafficking, according to a news release from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The court also ordered Hill to forfeit his interest in a house in Pasco County that was used in committing the offenses, as well as a handgun. Hill previously agreed to forfeit $400,536 in drug proceeds, three handguns and assorted ammunition.

According to court documents, Hill trafficked fentanyl in Pasco County. He used a house in New Port Richey to distribute the drugs and his own home in Holiday to store drugs, cash, and firearms.

After undercover agents purchased fentanyl from Hill four times, the Drug Enforcement Administration served search warrants on both homes on Sept. 27, 2018, and found more than a half-kilogram of fentanyl, almost a kilogram of cocaine, five firearms (including two that were reported stolen) and more than $370,000 in cash, according to the DEA.

During an interview, the DEA said Hill admitted to drug trafficking, possessing the seized guns, and that the money was the proceeds of drug sales.

After agreeing to cooperate with the investigation, agents said Hill secretly sent text messages to his conspirator, Nelson White, saying, "DEA ... dont come ... stop answering the feds got me."

DEA agents said they then saw White load a bag into his car and leave his home. A Pasco County sheriff's deputy pulled over White’s car for a traffic violation and found an additional pound of fentanyl, almost a half-kilogram of cocaine, more than $29,000 in cash, four firearms and assorted ammunition inside.

White was convicted of conspiracy and sentenced on December 1, 2020, to more than 21 years in federal prison. Another conspirator, William Gaston, was sentenced on July 28, 2020, to 10 years in federal prison.

The case was investigated by the DEA, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office, the Plant City Police Department and the Winter Haven Police Department.