PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Nine people have been arrested and 60 kilograms of cocaine seized following a years-long narcotics investigation that authorities say dismantled one of the largest cocaine trafficking operations in Pinellas County history.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the results of “Operation Hall of Fame” during a July 14 news conference.
According to investigators, detectives spent several years investigating suspected drug trafficker Daniel Pinales before learning cocaine was being transported by semi-trucks from El Paso, Texas, to Pinellas County.
On July 10, detectives conducted surveillance on one of the shipments, leading to the seizure of approximately 60 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of nine suspects.
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri described the case as one of the largest cocaine investigations in the county’s history.
“This is the largest drug seizure from a single Pinellas County drug trafficker that I know of in the past 40-plus years,” Gualtieri said. “The amount of cocaine that Daniel Pinales was putting on the streets of Pinellas County is just simply astronomical.”
Those arrested include:
- Daniel Pinales, 35, of Brandon, charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine.
- Jesus Morales, 36, listed as transient, charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine.
- Arturo Carlos, 32, of Canutillo, Texas, charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine.
- Joaquin Enriquez, 20, of Los Ranchos, New Mexico, charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine.
- Tyler Green, 33, of Largo, charged with four counts of trafficking in cocaine.
- Marice Higgins, 33, of Seminole, charged with eight counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
- Cody Dent, 35, of Clearwater, charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine.
- Brian Varner, 39, of Clearwater, charged with eight counts of trafficking in cocaine.
- Ryan Sturgis, 34, of Largo, charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has released the full Operation Hall of Fame news conference online, where investigators discussed the lengthy investigation and the seizure.