LARGO, FL — July 14, 2026 — Nine people have been arrested and authorities seized 60 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $2.1 million following a years-long narcotics investigation that culminated in “Operation Hall of Fame.” Investigators say the cocaine was transported by truck tractors from El Paso, Texas, to Pinellas County before detectives intercepted one of the suspected shipments on July 10, leading to the arrests and seizure.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center Special Agent in Charge Mark Dubina announced the results of the investigation during a Tuesday press conference.
During the briefing, Sheriff Gualtieri said detectives spent several years investigating a local drug trafficking organization before learning that large quantities of cocaine were being transported from El Paso, Texas, to Pinellas County.
“This is the largest drug seizure from a single Pinellas County drug trafficker that I know of in the past 40-plus years,” Gualtieri said. “The amount of cocaine that Daniel Pinales was putting on the streets of Pinellas County is just simply astronomical.”
Authorities arrested the following suspects:
Daniel Pinales, 35, of Brandon – One count of Trafficking in Cocaine.
Jesus Morales, 36, transient – One count of Trafficking in Cocaine.
Arturo Carlos, 32, of Canutillo, Texas – Two counts of Trafficking in Cocaine.
Joaquin Enriquez, 20, of Los Ranchos, New Mexico – One count of Trafficking in Cocaine.
Tyler Green, 33, of Largo – Four counts of Trafficking in Cocaine.
Marice Higgins, 33, of Seminole – Eight counts of Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Cody Dent, 35, of Clearwater – One count of Trafficking in Cocaine.
Brian Varner, 39, of Clearwater – Eight counts of Trafficking in Cocaine.
Ryan Sturgis, 34, of Largo – One count of Trafficking in Cocaine.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not announced whether additional arrests are expected.
SOURCE: PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
