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Cocaine, Pills Seized In Raid

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By DAVID SOMMER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2008

SEVEN SPRINGS - Acting on a federal search warrant, vice officers discovered cocaine, prescription drugs and narcotics paraphernalia inside an upscale home in a gated subdivision Tuesday morning.

Undercover Pasco County sheriff's deputies accompanied a team of federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents during the 8 a.m. raid at 2053 Tarragon Lane in Magnolia Estates off Perrine Ranch Road.

As agents were announcing the raid at the home's front door, resident Lucilo Fresno is thought to have successfully disposed of cocaine by flushing it down a toilet in the home's master bedroom, deputies reported.

A search of the residence turned up 70 grams of cocaine, two scales and a money counting machine, an arrest report filed by an undercover deputy states.

Also in the home were 45 Roxicodone pills, 15 hydrocodone pills, and 33 generic Xanax pills, all without documentation of accompanying prescriptions, the report states.

Cocaine Found Scattered

In the bathroom, a brown paper bag bearing cocaine residue was found clogging the toilet, and chunks of the drug weighing a total of 2 grams were found on the floor around and behind the toilet, the report states.

It appeared that someone had tried to destroy the cocaine on the floor by splashing water on it, the report states.

Fresno, 39, who was born in Havana but holds a U.S. Social Security number, according to the arrest report and other records, was subsequently charged with cocaine trafficking, trafficking in Roxicodone, trafficking in hydrocodone, possession of Xanax without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with physical evidence.

He remained in the Land O' Lakes Jail late Tuesday with bail set at a total of $160,250, according to the sheriff's Web site.

Neighbors Praise Parents

County records show the home, which sits on a half-acre lot, was purchased new by Lucilo and Hilda Fresno in September 2005 for $410,000.

Those living nearby described the couple and their daughters as fine neighbors, saying Lucilo Fresno had given away Cuban cigars and that both parents were very much anti-drugs.

A woman who lives across the street was watching the two young girls while deputies remained at the Fresno home Tuesday afternoon.

Pasco sheriff's spokesman Doug Tobin acknowledged witness accounts that deputies raided the house along with ATF agents and referred any questions to that federal agency. ATF officials were not available for comment late Tuesday.

Reporter David Sommer can be reached at (727) 815-1087 or dsommer@tampatrib.com.

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