TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Days after a FBI raid on a home in Hudson, federal officials revealed the action was related to a year long investigation into the sale and distribution of drugs in several counties throughout the Tampa Bay Area.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed drug trafficking charges against 13 people in connection to an “interstate drug trafficking operation” based in Pasco County.

In a news conference Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg announced the arrests of 12 of the 13 people accused of drug conspiracy and related offenses. Of those indicted, nine are residents of Pasco County, two are residents of Hernando County, one is a resident of Pinellas County and one is a resident of Puerto Rico.

According to the indictment, the group, whose ages range from 18 to 57, conspired for over a year to distribute large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine in Pasco and Pinellas counties. Some were arrested as part of a FBI raid in the Hudson area last week.

“When you look at the numbers, the volume, you’re not going to go, ‘Wow, this is the biggest arrest I’ve ever seen,” said David Walker, Special Agent in Charge for FBI Tampa. “But when you look at the affect on the community, it is a big deal.”

Walker said neighbors in Pasco County reported the suspected drug activity as an ongoing issue. He explained why agents had to act fast when arresting the 13 defendants.

“When we take down a large organization, we’re trying to make a number of simultaneous arrests, like what we don’t want to do is arrest ones and twos, and then have people running away,” Walker said. “So that is why you saw sort of a concerted larger package because we were conducting all of the arrests and all of the required searches all at once.”

The following people were charged with the following offenses in the DOJ investigation:

  • Daniel Carrillo (35, Weeki Wachee) – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and meth; distribution of cocaine (three counts)
  • Yoned Onil Santana Vazquez (18, Hudson) – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and meth; distribution of cocaine
  • Georgelys Natal Vazquez (27, Hudson) – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and meth; distribution of cocaine
  • Lucy Carrillo Gonzalez (60, Port Richey) – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and meth; distribution of cocaine
  • Jacqueline Navarro (53, Port Richey) – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and meth; distribution of cocaine (five counts); possession of meth with intent to distribute
  • Betsy Luz Trinidad (32, Weeki Wachee) – Conspiracy to distribute meth; distribution of cocaine (four counts)
  • Rolando Alvarez Canete (40, Holiday) – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and meth; distribution of cocaine
  • Kevin Valdez (33, Port Richey) – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
  • Victor Hernandez Jr. (24, Port Richey) – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
  • John Patrick Barrett (57, Port Richey) – Conspiracy to distribute meth; possession of meth with intent to distribute
  • Jennifer Hanna (51, Hudson) – Conspiracy to distribute meth; possession of meth with intent to distribute; distribution of meth (two counts)
  • Johan Elroy Del Valle Carrillo (41, Puerto Rico) – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; attempted distribution of cocaine
  • James Perry Oneal (29, Clearwater) – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; possession of cocaine with intent to distribute

Handberg identified Daniel Carrillo as the leader of the alleged conspiracy, along with his romantic partner, Betsy Trinidad. He alleged both Carrillo and Trinidad’s mothers were involved in the scheme and the drugs were supplied by Carrillo’s relatives.

“This conspiracy was a family affair,” Handberg said. “Of the 13 members of the conspiracy that have been federally indicted, seven of them are related.”

The other six accused of conspiracy were identified as meth suppliers and local drug dealers, according to the DOJ. The indicted individuals face lengthy prison sentences if convicted.

The case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. The FBI is still pursuing the 13th defendant.