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Hillsborough Donates Confiscated Mare To Sheriffs Youth Ranch

Tribune photo by CHRIS URSO

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Major Paul Davis pets Tiltaladin Secret during a news conference Thursday in Tampa.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 12, 2008

Updated: 06/12/2008 11:50 am

TAMPA A 3-year-old thoroughbred mare confiscated Feb. 17 by Hillsborough County deputies will be donated today to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch in Live Oak.

The horse, whose name is Tiltaladin Secret, was confiscated when an off-duty detective discovered a marijuana smuggling ring, deputies say. The detective, John Masson, saw a vehicle-horse trailer near his home, driving around appearing to be lost, about 1 a.m., said Maj. Paul Davis of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

The driver seemed nervous and claimed to know exactly where he was going. The detective thought something strange was going on and watched the vehicle for two to three hours. After Masson saw drugs and money, three people were arrested.

The marijuana came to Arizona from Mexico and was transported in a trailer with the horse to eastern Hillsborough County, Davis said.

Investigators initially thought there were 900 pounds of marijuana, but it turns out there were about 1,300 pounds.

Deputies also confiscated about $250,000 in U.S. currency in the trailer. The drugs and money had been placed behind a false wall in the trailer, Davis said.

Titaladin Secret appeared healthy but had been in the trailer for several days.

"The horse is pretty calm and tame, as you can see," he said.

Titaladin Secret is worth $2,000 to $4,000, deputies say.

The horse will be a great addition to the youth ranch, Davis said.

According to its Web site, the youth ranch in Live Oak is a residential care facility for troubled boys.

"Today the Boys Ranch accommodates 82 boys, between the ages of 8 and 18," the site states. "The boys participate in many different activities such as swimming, baseball, volleyball, canoeing and arts and crafts. In addition, each boy attends school, either on campus or in the local public school system in the Live Oak community. Each boy also participates in a structured work program."

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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