"Operation Hall of Fame", a yearslong investigation into a local drug trafficking organization, led to the seizure of 60 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of nine suspects on July 10, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
Detectives learned cocaine was being transported by truck tractor from El Paso, Texas, to Pinellas County. After conducting surveillance, investigators arrested the suspects and seized the cocaine.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri called it the largest drug seizure involving a single Pinellas County drug trafficker in the past 40 years.
During a press conference, Gualtieri and Mark Dubina, special agent in charge of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center, discussed the scope of the investigation.
Authorities identified Daniel Pinales as the alleged leader of the organization. Gualtieri said Pinales has multiple prior arrests and was charged with cocaine trafficking.
Others arrested include:
Tyler Green, charged with four counts of cocaine trafficking.
Brian Higgins, charged with eight counts of cocaine trafficking, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Brian Varner, charged with eight counts of cocaine trafficking.
Cody Dent, charged with one count of cocaine trafficking.
Ryan Sturgis, charged with one count of cocaine trafficking.
Gualtieri said detectives had been investigating Pinales for several years and determined he was obtaining cocaine from outside Florida and distributing it throughout Pinellas County.
"Our investigation included three wiretap investigations of people who were obtaining cocaine from Daniel Pinales in order to uncover the full nature and scope of these drug distribution activities," Gualtieri said.
In April, detectives discovered Pinales was using truck tractors to transport cocaine into Florida. Investigators said one active tractor was towing two inactive tractors that concealed the cocaine.
Arturo Carlos, of El Paso, was identified as the driver and was arrested on two counts of cocaine trafficking.
Jesus Morales and Joaquin Enriquez, also of El Paso, were traveling with Carlos. Morales and Enriquez were each charged with one count of cocaine trafficking.
When the group arrived in Florida, another vehicle followed the tractor. The suspects allegedly traveled to Wesley Chapel, where they met with Pinales and transferred the cocaine to him.
Gualtieri said Pinales stored the cocaine in the Rocky Point area and sold it to multiple buyers in Pinellas County. Meanwhile, the suspects from Texas allegedly waited in Pasco County to collect the drug proceeds before returning to El Paso.
"We estimate that Carlos, Morales and Enriquez transported about $1 million on every trip back to El Paso," Gualtieri said.
When Pinales was arrested, Gualtieri said detectives found approximately $2.1 million of cocaine in his possession. This was 132 pounds of cocaine.
"Remember, this was happening every month," Gualtieri said. "If each monthly load was in the 60-kilogram range, that means he was selling more than 700 kilograms of cocaine a year in our community and making millions of dollars."
Pinales' bail was set at $2.25 million. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in state prison.