News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2006

Major Round-up of Alleged Cocaine and Marijuana Traffickers in Central Florida

Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division, U.S. Attorney Paul I. Perez, Middle District of Florida, Jack Bisland, Special Agent Supervisor, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Sheriff Ben F. Johnson, Volusia County Sheriff's Office, announced the arrests of several individuals on a federal complaint charging them with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and a quantity of 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. On March 16, 2006, over 100 law enforcement officers arrested fifteen defendants sought on federal drug conspiracy charges. Simultaneously, search warrants were executed at twelve locations in the Volusia County area and in Miami.

The investigation began two years ago when agents received information that Anthony Gonzalez was distributing 2-10 kilograms of cocaine and hundreds of pounds of marijuana weekly in Volusia County. Gonzalez is the owner of a real estate business and according to the arrest affidavit, Gonzalez used his business as a front for his drug trafficking organization. During this investigation, more than 8 kilograms of cocaine and more than 200 pounds of marijuana were seized that were destined for distribution in central Florida.

The case was investigated by the DEA Miami Field Division Orlando District Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, FDLE, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and the DeLand Police Department.