Operation Blackjack Press Conference - Pasco County
U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez, along with Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco and ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai, announced the results of Operation Blackjack, a long-term investigation into arms and narcotics trafficking activities, centered in Pasco County. As a result of the operation, thirty-nine “Unforgiven” and “United Aryan Brotherhood” gang members and associates were charged with various federal firearms and drug violations.
Operation Blackjack arose out of a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. The cases will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office’s Violent Crimes and Narcotics Section.
"We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to prosecute those who persist in purveying violent crime and drug trafficking on our streets,” stated U.S. Attorney Chapa Lopez during the press conference. “We are committed to working with our partners to render our communities safe for our citizens in the Middle District of Florida.”
For additional details on Operation Blackjack, please see the press release.