Sheriff Bob Gualtieri Holds Press Conference to Discuss “Operation Snow Storm” (25-050)

PINELLAS COUNTY - On April 30, 2025, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass held a press conference to discuss a lengthy narcotics investigation called “Operation Snow Storm”.  

In August of 2024, detectives launched the investigation, which led to the identification of a

large drug trafficking organization in Pinellas County. On April 28, 2025, with the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force, detectives arrested 19 suspects with a combined total of 113 charges.

Sheriff Gualtieri stated, “as we know, fentanyl has caused the worst drug epidemic in the history of our country. It is 100 times more potent than morphine, 50 times more potent than heroin and has literally caused the deaths of thousands of people across the United States.”

FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass stated, "It cannot be emphasized enough how important the S.A.F.E. program is for these major fentanyl investigations. S.A.F.E funding and strong interagency partnerships are absolutely crucial when it comes to combating drug trafficking across the state.”

To view the full press conference, visit: https://youtu.be/yM6zK6zQhhg

Additional Information:

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