TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office made 43 arrests on Thursday in what was a two-day operation to remove illicit drugs and illegal firearms from the streets of Tampa.
Over the course of the operation, deputies conducted 188 traffic stops and recovered a wide variety of narcotics, including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA.
Among the items seized were:
- 130.6 grams of fentanyl
- 3.3 grams of cocaine
- 79.1 grams of cannabis
- 1 gram of MDMA
- 2.1 grams of oxycodone pills
Sheriff Chad Chronister emphasized the department’s tireless commitment to proactively upholding and enforcing the law.
“Our mission is simple—protect the people of Hillsborough County,” said Sheriff Chronister. “When individuals threaten the safety of our community through reckless driving, gun crimes, or the trafficking of deadly narcotics like fentanyl, our deputies act swiftly and decisively. These operations send a clear message: safety in our neighborhoods will never be compromised.”
Among those arrested were the following high-profile cases:
- Dexter Myers, 58, was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant related to violating his status as a registered sex offender
- Maxie Eddins, 49, and Jenna Clary, 32, were arrested after leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit. Clary was allegedly carrying over 127 grams of fentanyl, according to HCSO.
- Nicolas French, 31, is a documented MPR gang member who deputies say was found in possession of cannabis resin and various drug paraphernalia. He has an extensive criminal history and has previously served six years in a Florida state prison.
“These arrests reflect our commitment to protecting families and ensuring the safety of every community we serve,” Sheriff Chronister added. “Through teamwork, intelligence-driven enforcement, and relentless follow-through, we’re building a safer Hillsborough County—one operation at a time.”
