Advertisement

Detectives arrest 8 in major "speed' ring

 
Published May 2, 1998|Updated Sept. 13, 2005

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office seized more than 10 pounds of methamphetamine from a home in Plant City, thought to be the largest "speed" shipment seized in Hillsborough, authorities said.

Sheriff's detectives also wrapped up another drug investigation in Wimauma that netted about 250 pounds of marijuana and 30 grams of cocaine, reports said. The street value of the drugs in that seizure was estimated to be more than $250,000.

Speaking at a new conference on Friday, Sheriff Cal Henderson cited teamwork and cooperation among law enforcement agencies as primary reasons for the two seizures that occurred Thursday.

"Pooling our resources and information is what led to this," he explained. "I can tell you that this will continue."

Eight people were arrested as part of the drug investigations, Henderson said. He expects more to follow.

Although the methamphetamine smuggling ring was not particularly large, authorities said it contributed significantly to the "speed" trade in Hillsborough County.

Pedro Trevino, 37, of 1905 Knights Griffin Road in Plant City, had a small band of couriers ferrying methamphetamine from California and Mexico into Hillsborough County, police said. The group moved throughout the country, bringing as much as $4-million in methamphetamine into Florida in four months.

Undercover detectives infiltrated the small organization over the past few months and bought methamphetamine from two members of the group, reports said. Deputies found a shotgun, a rifle, several pistols and two bulletproof vests when they arrested Trevino and four people believed to be couriers at Trevino's home on Thursday. All are being charged with trafficking in methamphetamine.

The marijuana arrests also came after an extensive investigation, officials said. Deputies followed Margarito Serrano, 55, of 3122 Hillsborough Lane, to Ruskin on Thursday and discovered he was carrying 30 grams of cocaine, reports said. He and two others were arrested on marijuana and cocaine trafficking charges.