Pasco County sheriff’s detectives made the biggest cocaine bust in county history this week. After a reported 18-month investigation, they found and seized 53 kilograms (over 115 pounds) of cocaine buried under a shed at a home in Dade City. In addition to the packages of cocaine, wrapped packages of cash were also discovered beneath the shed. Those packages contained about $200,000 in cash.

A police dog assisted in the search of the rural Dade City premises. In the same investigation, law enforcement pulled over a nearby tractor-trailer and discovered $2 million in cash.

Arrested at the home were Jorge Castillo-Ramos and Rogelio Zarco-Perez. They were charged with cocaine trafficking and are being held at the Land O’ Lakes Jail. Another man, Audel “Kiko” Arrizon-Lopez, was arrested elsewhere in Dade City in connection with the same case. He faces a charge of conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

Law enforcement says all three defendants are from Mexico and are in the United States illegally. If convicted, they face substantial prison time as well as deportation back to Mexico. If found not guilty, all three are still likely to be deported.

Drug Charges, Felonies

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