TAMPA, FL – A significant drug bust in Hillsborough County has led to the arrest of 33 individuals, including an entire family, in a sweeping operation that uncovered a vast network of illegal drug distribution stretching from Florida to Puerto Rico. The investigation, conducted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, resulted in the seizure of enough fentanyl to potentially cause nearly one million overdose deaths.
Authorities revealed that two brothers, Fernando Rosario Torres and Elias Rosario Torres, orchestrated the drug trafficking operation from behind bars at a federal prison in Pensacola. The brothers allegedly used contraband cell phones to manage the illicit activities. Their parents, Elias Rosario Negron and Enid Torres Barrios, were also implicated in the operation.
The suspects face numerous charges, including drug trafficking and violations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The investigation uncovered extensive dealings in fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine throughout the Tampa Bay area, generating tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, firearms were seized during the operation.
The six-month investigation revealed connections to a broader network operating out of Puerto Rico. Legal proceedings for the accused are underway, with their attorneys appearing in court this week. The scale of the bust has drawn significant attention, with local anti-drug advocates highlighting the severity of the fentanyl threat.
One advocate, who lost her brother to a fentanyl overdose, expressed relief and gratitude for the operation’s success, emphasizing the lethal potential of even small quantities of the drug. “When you have ounces of fentanyl, it can kill almost a million people,” she said, underscoring the operation’s life-saving impact.
Florida’s Attorney General praised the efforts of law enforcement, stating that the operation serves as a stark warning to those involved in drug trafficking within the state. She affirmed the commitment to upholding the rule of law and bringing perpetrators to justice, acknowledging the complexity and duration of such investigations.
The suspects remain in custody without bond, pending a pre-trial detention hearing scheduled for later this week. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continues to work diligently to dismantle drug networks and protect the community from the dangers of illicit substances.