Operation Blackjack Pasco County
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Operation Blackjack Pasco County Fl
PASCO Co., Fla. — We’re learning about the nearly 40 gang members cuffed and jailed in a big investigation unfolding in the Tampa Bay area.
The Pasco County Sheriffs Office, in conjunction with the ATF, arrested 39 alleged gang members for gun and drug trafficking charges as part of a three-year-old investigation dubbed Project Blackjack. Attorney’s Office, ATF and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Department announced the closure of “Operation Blackjack” which targeted gang members operating in Pasco County, FL. A total of 39 members of the gangs, Unforgiven and the United Aryan Brotherhood were arrested on weapons and drug charges. ADVERTISEMENT The investigation, named “Operation Blackjack,” lasted more than three years and included state and federal prosecutors, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). 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 ATF and the Pasco Sheriff's Office.
It was a three-year investigation ending with more than 110 illegal firearms seized. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office teaming up with ATF and the State Attorney’s Office to cuff 39 alleged gang members.
“You know these are one of those very proud moments we have,' said Sheriff Chris Nocco of Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
They say the suspects are part of the Unforgiven and United Aryan Brotherhood prison gangs working mostly out of Pasco County. But most stunning of all is the amount of guns authorities confiscated including a rocket launcher and pipe bombs.
“It’s scary when you look over that table and you see those guns and they are in the hands of felons,' said Nocco.
Now they are off the streets as are several pounds of mostly meth and fentanyl. The ones behind these alleged crimes are well known to authorities.
“I want to send a message to these defendants that you can’t keep coming in and out of prison and come back and affect the community with violence and drug trafficking,' said Maria Chapa Lopez, U.S State Attorney for Middle District of Florida.
Operation Blackjack Pasco County
These suspects are facing anywhere from two years to life in prison. Even more alarming is 31-year-old Richard Mormon, who was caught with at least two fully operational pipe bombs. Authorities say they aren’t aware of any plans Mormon had with them. Operation Blackjack doesn’t end there. Authorities are expecting to arrest more people but, of course, are keeping quiet on the details.
Some of cache ATF grabbed: Weapons, rocket launcher,
Nearly 40members of two white supremacist gangs in FL were arrested as the result ofa massive drug trafficking sting. The U.S. Attorney's Office for theMiddle District of Florida announced that 39 members of the “Unforgiven and United AryanBrotherhood” gangs were charged with various federal firearms and drugviolations.
ATF authoritiesseized more than 100 illegal firearms, a rocket launcher, and several pipebombs in the raid (as reported onlocal ABC affiliate WFTS in Tampa Bay). Authorities alsoreportedly found several pounds of crystal meth and fentanyl.
Theinvestigation, “Operation Blackjack,”lasted more than three years and included state and federal prosecutors, the ATF,and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.
ATF Assistant Special Agent in ChargeCraig Kailimai said: “In getting these 39 dangerous individualsoff of the street and seizing guns and explosives that could have been used inviolent acts, the community of Pasco County is a little safer.”
Authoritiessay the gangs mostly operate in and out of prisons. The U.S. Attorney’sOffice’s Violent Crimes and Narcotics Section will prosecute the cases. Thesuspects are facing anywhere from two years to life in prison.
My 2 cents: Amazing story and one of immensepride in the work that produced these results – no telling how many attackswere stopped and the number of lives possibly saved.
Congrats to the ATF in FL.
Operation Blackjack Pasco County Florida
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