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Drug bust cash will aid public

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By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: April 25, 2009

TAMPA - The biggest cocaine seizure in Hillsborough County history could translate into playground equipment for community parks, materials for teachers or clothes for migrant workers' children.

Some of the $4 million in cash seized this week from five suspected drug dealers will find its way into Community Development Block Grants, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

But the money won't be available anytime soon.

"The money that we seize, we have to hold on to it for a certain amount of time," Carter said. "Eventually, it can be used for grant-related items."

Some may be shared among law enforcement agencies that participated in the case.

Three vehicles, including a 2005 Chrysler 300 valued at $30,000, could be converted to sheriff's office vehicles or sold at auction.

"The vehicles that were seized will become our property," Carter said.

The guns that were seized will stay in the evidence locker until all the cases are disposed of in court, she said. "Then they will be destroyed."
Deputies also seized nearly $5 million worth of cocaine, which will be destroyed.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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