Hillsborough Sheriff, DEA Bust Major Drug Ring In Plant City

PLANT CITY, FL -- The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has busted a major drug ring and arrested a number of reported drug traffickers following a seven-month investigation.

During a press conference with William "Mike" Furgason of the Drug Enforcement Agency and Joseph Spataro of the Florida Attorney General's Office, Sheriff Chad Chronister said the arrests put a major dent in drug trafficking in east Hillsborough County.

"These arrests have directly made our streets safer. Our detectives' hard work and perseverance on this investigation have cut off access to dangerous drugs to countless people," said Chronister.

This operation hit close to home for Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who grew up in Plant City and is married to a DEA agent.

"Methamphetamine is a deadly, highly addictive drug that destroys families and ruins lives," she said. "I want to thank Sheriff Chronister and our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration for their quick action to dismantle this meth-trafficking ring and seize these deadly drugs before they could harm more Floridians."

Operation Ice Cubed, which began in September, found a significant drug trafficking hub operating out of 1804 S. Forbes Road, Plant City. Over the past several years, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has responded to more than 100 calls to that location.

The investigation involved numerous undercover purchases of methamphetamines. During the bust, detectives found 1,840.1 grams of meth and $27,700 in cash.

The following people have been charged:

• Leovigilda Rojas De Coronado: Conspiracy to traffic in amphetamine 200 grams or more and keeping public nuisance structure for drug activity.
• Eddie Rodriguez: Conspiracy to traffic in amphetamine 200 grams or more, Conspiracy to traffic in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams, trafficking in amphetamine 200 grams or more and trafficking in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams.
• Edgar Rodriguez Jr.: Conspiracy to traffic in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams and trafficking in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams.
• Ricardo Coronado: Contempt of court - failure to pay child support.
• Rodolfo Conde: Trafficking in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams.
• Eloy Conde: Possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Jaime Castillo: Conspiracy to traffic in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams, trafficking in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams and trafficking in amphetamine 200 grams or more.
• Roy Rodriguez: Two counts of violation of probation - possession of a controlled substance and violation of probation - possession of marijuana.
• Christian Delgado: Conspiracy to traffic in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams.
• Luis Espinoza Jr.: Trafficking in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams.
• Kiara Lacole Reese: Possession of cannabis less than 20 grams.
• Joshua Rodriguez: Failure to appear, no valid driver's license, resisting arrest without violence.
• David Conde: Habitual traffic offender.
• George Mendoza: Possession of a controlled substance.
• Pedro Vazquez-Segura: Warrant issued - possession of methamphetamine.
• Carlos Rodriguez: Warrant issued - possession of methamphetamine.
• Angel Sullivan: Warrant issued - possession of a controlled substance and warrant issued - possession of drug paraphernalia.

"We have no tolerance for this kind of criminal activity, and these individuals will be prosecuted at the state level," said Chronister.