How do they KEEP missing the drive thru fire stations??

Hillsborough deputies shut down drive-through drug operation near University Mall, expect more arrests
By Jessica Vander Velde, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Thursday, September 8, 2011


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hillsborough deputies stand in the courtyard of the Pines I Apartments, 11720 N 14th St., near University Mall in Tampa on Wednesday where a drug “drive-through” was discovered.
TAMPA — One by one, motorists arrived, rolling down windows and giving up cash, as they would at a fast-food restaurant.

This drive-through opened at 11 a.m. some days, but lunch was never on the menu.

Instead, customers could order cocaine, oxycodone, ecstasy and marijuana. Guns, too.

At a news conference Wednesday, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office announced that it had broken up a drug trafficking ring that caught even investigators by surprise.

About 11 months ago, deputies began building cases against two men reputed to be dealing drugs in a neighborhood near University Mall.

Investigators thought Zavien Brand, 28, and Joseph Nurse, 35, might lead them to a few more people, maybe six or eight, said sheriff's Maj. J.R. Burton.

But the small undercover probe soon turned into a larger investigation — dubbed Operation Pandora's Box — as deputies realized the area's loose-knit group of dealers included dozens of people.

On Wednesday, sheriff's officials announced they had 54 warrants and, as of 4 p.m., 32 arrests, most on drug and gun possession charges.

"We had no idea this was going on," Burton said.

They focused on several addresses in the neighborhood near Nebraska and Fletcher avenues. The drive-through was at the Pines I Apartments at 11720 N 14th St., deputies said.

Deputies took 29 guns off the street, including seven assault rifles and two weapons believed to be linked to shootings in the area.

Also seized: about 1.3 pounds of crack cocaine, 0.64 ounces of powder cocaine, 0.25 ounces of oxycodone and some ecstasy — valued at about $75,000 total, Burton said.

Burton hopes the operation sends a message to an area that has long struggled with crime, and he wants residents to know that deputies aren't done.

Brand was charged with dealing crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of a gun. Nurse was charged with dealing crack cocaine, marijuana and stolen property.

Deputies planned to continue executing search warrants until they arrest all 54 suspects.

Times news researcher John Martin contributed to this report. Jessica Vander Velde can be reached at (813) 226-3433 or jvandervelde@sptimes.com.


[Last modified: Sep 08, 2011 12:02 AM]

Click here for reuse options!
Copyright 2011 St. Petersburg Times



Click here to post a comment

If you see an objectionable comment, click Report Abuse.
Viewing 1 - 6 of 6 comments Oldest First Newest First Top Rated

Tampa Law Dog Sep 7, 2011 3:53 PM Yesterday Good to see that the TPD is finally getting this together... Whoops, excuse me, there is someone at my door.
Reply
Report Abuse 0 2 Ya_Mad_Bro_COMEON Sep 8, 2011 2:34 PM About 3 hours ago LOL !!! That is the first funny thing you have ever said. Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 JoeInPinellasPark Sep 7, 2011 3:55 PM Yesterday I guess you have to have some kind of license to sell guns? Is that the way it works? Cus the way I understand it, you don't need anything to buy a gun.
Reply
Report Abuse 2 1 Larry F. Sep 7, 2011 4:05 PM Yesterday Not from the B.A.T.F. anyway. Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 beakie Sep 8, 2011 8:13 AM About 9 hours ago Straight up cash money, holmes. Thank the NRA for our free wheeling 2nd Amendment bang-bang yee-haw utopia. Of course when a policeman or three gets shot it's someone else's fault. Reply
Report Abuse 1 1 TampaBayBob Sep 7, 2011 4:41 PM Yesterday B.A.T.F. was involved because convicted felons in the possession of firearms and/or ammunition is a 5-yr Federal Felony. Not to mention selling weapons in a drug trafficking operation. They also get 1st pick of the litter which puts them in the Federal Judiciary System ahead of any State charges. Guarantees a slam dunk with layers upon layers of charges to ensure something sticks. I also believe the Federal System does not have a Parole Board so you have to serve all of your sentence (correct me if I'm wrong on this). No early release for 'good behavior' or overcrowding.
Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 carrymyownweight Sep 7, 2011 5:25 PM Yesterday That's not what he was referring to. He was referring to the sale of guns by BATF to Mexican gun runners in Arizona, the result of which was those guns being used to kill two American agents. You know, the investigation Obama and Holder are stonewalling?? Reply
Report Abuse 2 1 SonnyBurnett Sep 7, 2011 5:18 PM Yesterday More people.out of work, come gov Scott, legalize drugs and prostitutes
Reply
Report Abuse 1 1 Ya_Mad_Bro_COMEON Sep 8, 2011 2:33 PM About 3 hours ago duh. Now come get the m'fers protected by the sheriff's boy earl howard harper in the hood bordered by waters, nebraska, florida and yukon. With an address in that hood you can get pulled over with a quarter pound under your seat and they will call someone to come pick up the car. While I DO appreciate that, I am sick of your nasty puerto rican gangsters, sheriff gee. Either tell them to leave the rest of us the F alone or get them out of there. I know that won't happen because you want the property. BUT THAT will not be happening either no matter how many times you 'copter back and forth over the house. Don't forget the faux homeless shelter on Waters. And people stop wondering why Mike Roberts was murdered inside job in front of another faux homeless shelter. By a puerto rican gangster. Delgado is no more homeless than I am.