Sheriff Bob Gualtieri Holds Press Conference to Discuss “Operation Hall of Fame” (26-066)

PINELLAS COUNTY - On July 14, 2026, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and FDLE Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center Special Agent in Charge, Mark Dubina, held a press conference to discuss a large narcotics investigation called “Operation Hall of Fame.”  

After several years of investigating a local drug trafficker, detectives learned that cocaine was being transported via truck tractors from El Paso Texas to Pinellas County. Detectives conducted surveillance of one of the transports on July 10, 2026, which led to the arrest of nine suspects and 60 kilograms of cocaine seized.

Sheriff Gualtieri stated, “This is the largest drug seizure from a single Pinellas County drug trafficker that I know of in the past 40 plus years. The amount of Cocaine that Daniel Pinales was putting on the streets of Pinellas County is just simply astronomical.”

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

Additional Information:

Daniel Pinales (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 03/03/1991
Address: 1022 Oliveto Verdi Court, Brandon
Charges: One Count of Trafficking Cocaine

Jesus Morales (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 05/25/1990
Address: Transient
Charges: One Count of Trafficking Cocaine

Arturo Carlos (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 06/10/1994
Address: 7148 Casa Verde Drive, Canutillo Texas
Charges: Two Counts of Trafficking Cocaine

Joaquin Enriquez (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 08/03/2005
Address: 7421 4th Street Northwest Lot #14, Los Ranchos New Mexico
Charges: One Count of Trafficking Cocaine

Tyler Green (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 09/20/1992
Address: 2133 17th Avenue Southwest, Largo
Charges: Four counts of Trafficking Cocaine

Marice Higgins (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 12/23/1992
Address: 6807 113th Street North, Seminole
Charges: Eight counts of Trafficking Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Sell Marijuana, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Cody Dent (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 05/12/1991
Address: 15147 George Boulevard, Clearwater
Charges: One count of Trafficking Cocaine

Brian Varner (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 10/16/1986
Address: 725 16th Avenue Northwest, Clearwater
Charges: Eight counts of Trafficking Cocaine

Ryan Sturgis (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 05/17/1992
Address: 2390 14th Avenue Southwest Apartment A, Largo
Charges: One count of Trafficking Cocaine