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Warrants have been issued for two more men in an investigation that has netted nearly 200 grams of the drug.
By MIKE BRASSFIELD
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 16, 2000
Authorities say they've broken up a ring of at least eight heroin dealers who operated on both sides of Tampa Bay.
Three people were arrested Tuesday in Pinellas Park and Tampa, and two others remained at large, the FBI said. Another three suspects already had been arrested in previous weeks.
Since the investigation began last summer, investigators have confiscated nearly 200 grams of heroin, worth tens of thousands of dollars on the street, the FBI said. They also have seized $10,000 in cash and several weapons.
The heroin would come to Tampa first before the group distributed some of it to Pinellas County, said FBI Special Agent Brian Kensel. Investigators are trying to learn where the drugs came from.
The three arrested Tuesday were Albert Guecia Jr., 48, and Edward P. McGee, 43, both of Pinellas Park; and Cecilia Villa de Jimenez, 33, of Tampa.
Two people couldn't be found. Arrest warrants were issued for Arnaldo Jose Dilone, 18, of 8421 N Edison Ave., Tampa; and Kenneth McGhan, 56, whose last listed address was in Seminole.
All five are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. Jimenez and Dilone also are charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin.
Among the three people arrested earlier in the investigation was Charles John Moody, 47, of Holiday. Moody was arrested Jan. 20 on a charge of trafficking in heroin, but the charge was dropped a week ago, according to Pinellas court records.
The other two people arrested earlier were Nelly Ruiz, 46, and her son Jeramie Marrero, 18.
The FBI and the Pinellas and Hillsborough sheriff's offices are investigating.
Heroin typically sells for $160 to $200 per half-gram, depending on its purity and supply and demand, Kensel said.