PLANT CITY, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of 17 people on Wednesday in connection to a 7-month-long drug investigation.
The sheriff's office says the investigation, dubbed "Operation Ice Cubed," began in September of 2018 and uncovered a significant drug trafficking hub operating out of 1804 South Forbes Road in Plant City.
The investigation involved undercover methamphetamine purchases totaling 1,840 grams, the sheriff's office says. Authorities also recovered $27,700 in cash seizures.
"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 Sheriff Chad Chronister. "We have no tolerance for this kind of criminal activity, and these individuals will be prosecuted at the state level."
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Over the past several years, the sheriff's office says they're responded to over 100 calls of service to the location.
"Methamphetamine is a deadly, highly addictive drug that destroys families and ruins lives," Attorney General Ashley Moody 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."
The investigation was done in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the State Wide Prosecutors Office.
“I think because of this operation, our community can take a deep sigh of relief...the violent nature, the violent behavior, everything that’s associated with meth...We absolutely can sleep a little easier tonight because of this operation.” #OperationIceCubed pic.twitter.com/k8yaUwdssf
— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) April 17, 2019
The following people were arrested:
Leovigilda Rojas De Coronado: Conspiracy to traffic in amphetamine 200 grams or more, 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, trafficking in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams (x7)
Edgar Rodriguez Jr: Conspiracy to traffic in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams, 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 (x7)
Eloy Conde: Possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia
Jaime Castillo: Conspiracy to traffic in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams (x2), trafficking in amphetamine 200 grams or more, trafficking in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams
Roy Rodriguez: Violation of probation, possession of controlled substance, possession of marijuana
Christian Delgado: Conspiracy to traffic in amphetamine 28 to 200 grams
Luis Espinoza, Jr.: Trafficking in amphetamine 200 grams or more
Kiara Lacole Reese: Possession of cannabis less than 20 grams
Joshua Rodriguez: Failure to appear - no valid driver's license/never had one issued, resisting officer without violence
David Conde: Habitual traffic offender / DWLS
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 controlled substance (x2), warrant issued/ possession of drug paraphernalia
