35 people were arrested earlier this week after a drug distribution investigation between police departments and officials in New Hampshire and Maine. This is the result of a twi-year investigation. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Tornado in Virginia Beach destroys homes, causes, Take part in the fifth NYS Canalway Challenge, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. All Rights Reserved. of Justice, Authorities said trafficking took place in Tampa, Kissimmee, At least one person died of an overdose and others were sickened. Well deliver the latest news and information you need to know every weekday morning. 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. Data from the County Medical Examiner's toxicology lab through September 2020 indicates that fatal overdoses have spiked more than 30%. 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. Download it here. They could face penalties ranging from five years up to life in prison. The premises were managed and controlled by Cicciu and made available for others to unlawfully store, distribute, and use controlled substances. That statistic not only alarms Snelling as someone whos lived through the crisis but also as someone who battles it daily as the board chair of the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance. On one of these occasions, officers also located several assault-style weapons, a handgun, and brass knuckles. Police searched several rooms under Strawder's name under a search warrant. Police seized fentanyl, meth, firearms, and more than $5,000. Times staff. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Iwant to make it very clear, ifyou are planning to engage in the sexual exploitation of others, Im urging you to think twice. "We are committed to protecting Hillsborough County. Hillsborough nixes gopher tortoise safeguards. After executing the warrant, officers located a baggie of fentanyl and an apparent drug ledger. 4 grams of heroin. The counts of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a fine of $5 million. Deputies found significant amounts of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs, along with firearms and more than $30,000 in cash inside the hotel rooms, said police. Rain likely. Some individuals received additional charges, including drug possession. US Attorney. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth. 100 bags Its almost like you cant comprehend it, said Snelling. Eric Paul, 29, charged with trafficking of methamphetamine. Female detectives posed as prostitutes on the streets. The heroin and fentanyl was trafficked throughout Tampa and Kissimmee, officials said. Police served a search warrant on Cody Graves' home on May 20 and found methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a gun inside his home. The suspects, Frequently requested statistics for: Hillsborough County, Florida. 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 You know, I know the devastation it causes to a family.. 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. 273 grams of crack cocaine. Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, he has now been held responsible for his crimes.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Morbidity and mortality due to substance use, misuse, and overdose have been rising steadily over the past two decades. 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. Her brother died of a drug overdose in Miami. The massive bust was a collaboration between Carroll County, New Hampshire and Maine. On January 11, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Sheriff Chad Chronister The Capital District Reptile Expo returns! 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. 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. The goal of the so called "Cross-Border Initiative" was to catch individuals distributing heroin, fentanyl, opioids, and other illicit drugs. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) Six men in Hillsborough County are accused of exploiting drug addiction to force women into prostitution. They may contain dangerous chemical compounds. And got a phone call that he had overdosed and died I just I cant describe how it was just horrible.. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Indictments were handed down last month and the arrests were made this week. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrations Tampa office worked together on the investigation, dubbed Operation 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 response, Hillsborough County adopted an ordinance to prohibit the possession, use, sale, distribution, production, or manufacture of synthetic drugs. Low 46F. 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 collaborative effort started between six to twelve months ago, police said. Its devastating: Castro County estimates 18,000 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 35 arrested after multiple drug busts across Maine, New Hampshire border. Investigators say they were trafficking heroin and fentanyl in Tampa and Kissimmee. Snelling said fentanyl, a powerful opioid that often contaminates other drugs, was to blame in both cases. This started as early as 2016 and continued well into August of this year. 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. 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. Learn More. Should I tell my neighbors to stop skinny dipping? Some of the arrests were made for non-drug related offenses, such as probation and bail violations. Right now, so many families are being devastated nationwide. Two deputies were found dead inside a vacation rental home Saturday night. The deputies were members of the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, who said the two were romantically involved with one another. We will continue to go after people who choose to deal poison in our community. The goal of S.O.S. 22, 2016. A three-month-long investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office last year led to the rescue of five victims from an alleged sex trafficking ring. The six men were also charged with racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), which can enhance the penalties. The Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance website includes a list of programs available in our area. This is particularly so when the product that the company manufactures, distributes and sells is a narcotic.. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. The dollars, to be paid out over 18 years, come from a $26 billion settlement announced last month to end litigation from state and local governments against Johnson & Johnson and three drug distributors Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen and McKesson. Dawna Gantvoort, 45, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine and controlled substance. Snelling said the Tampa Bay area is generally well-suited with a myriad of drug treatment programs, but she believes more can be done regionally and nationally, including better education starting at an earlier age, more funding for treatment and prevention, better access to quick treatment, and stronger border security to better prevent the flow of fentanyl from Mexico. 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. It was right before Christmas, she remembered. (Dave Jordan, Spectrum News staff). Abuse of synthetic drugs such as bath salts and synthetic marijuana has become an epidemic. Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Register to receive time-sensitive messages about emergencies and certain non-emergency events straight from us to you. Residents The Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance website includes a list of programs available in our area. TAMPA Hillsborough County for decades has offered treatment in lieu of jail or prison for some defendants accused of minor drug 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. The Hillsborough County Commission is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a resolution and accompanying memorandum of understanding to begin the process of settling its claim. Overview. Police say more arrests are expected and that further joint efforts are planned. East Greenbush to begin enforcing lowered speed limits, Over 3k guns turned in during statewide gun buyback, 14 people hospitalized from collapsed roof, 05/01/2023: Exercise for your umbrellas and wipers. Ellen Snelling, with the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, has lived the record-breaking spike of overdose deaths, Devastated by drug overdoses, Tampa advocate prays deadly spike will end in 2022. All of those things have to be addressed, Snelling concluded. 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. ", According to authorities, including Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, the traffickers pushed heroin and the deadly synthetic drug fentanyl into the region, causing at least one death. The Florida Department of Health reported 208 deaths from opioid overdoses in Hillsborough during the first six months of 2020. No company should ever place its desire for profits above the health and well-being of its customers or the communities where those customers live, the county lawsuit stated. The suit was filed in Pasco County and targeted some of the same defendants listed in Hillsboroughs suit. Heroin, Meth, $30K Seized In Drug Raids; 9 Arrested: Police AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Thirteen people are under arrest in Warrenville after a drug bust Tuesday. 349 grams of powder cocaine. Request services from Hillsborough County online 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week 24/7 online development permitting solution. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. By Dave Jordan Hillsborough County PUBLISHED 12:10 PM ET Sep. 03, 2020 TAMPA, Fla. Federal prosecutors have indcited 11 people on drug trafficking charges Seven other people were arrested on drug charges in connection with this case: To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. The 11 defendants each face federal charges ofconspiracy and drug distribution. Chance of rain 100%. "I will not tolerate this illegal acitivity, and I can assure you the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will continue to invest the time needed to identify all the players and dismantle their operation.". To think of losing anyone in your family over a drug is, you know, its just awful, and it can cause nightmares, and it makes you worry constantly, said Snelling. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Board didnt say why. 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.
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