TAMPA, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has announced the arrest of two men accused of distributing dangerous drugs throughout the county, dismantling what authorities describe as a significant trafficking operation. The arrests, made on Friday, followed an intensive investigation into the alleged distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other illicit substances.
Ronald Hess Jr., 55, and Sedrick Coleman, 42, were taken into custody at a residence on the 10300 block of Oak Avenue in Tampa. A search warrant executed at the property uncovered trafficking amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and MDMA, according to HCSO officials.
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Hess, an eight-time convicted felon with prior convictions for grand theft, cocaine trafficking, narcotics possession, and fraud, faces a lengthy list of charges.
These include multiple counts of Conspiracy to Traffic in Amphetamine, Trafficking in Amphetamine, Trafficking in Fentanyl (28 Grams or More), Trafficking in Phenethylamines, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Controlled Substances, among others. He is also charged with Keeping a Public Nuisance Structure for Drug Activity.
Coleman has been charged with Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device, Trafficking in Amphetamine, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Controlled Substances (including cannabis and cocaine), and Possession of Controlled Substance With Intent to Sell or Deliver.
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“Let me be clear — if you’re peddling this poison in Hillsborough County, we are coming for you. These drugs don’t just ruin lives — they end them,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Our detectives stopped these traffickers before their poison could claim another victim, and we’ll keep doing it, case after case, arrest after arrest. We will not give these dealers an inch in our community.”
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