DEA: Cocaine hidden in lime shipments

Hillsborough County deputies and Drug Enforcement Administration agents busted a major drug operation that was using produce shipments to smuggle cocaine.

The men arrested are accused of bringing $2.5 million worth of drugs from Mexico to communities like Palm River and Progress Village.

Deputies say a 23-year-old college student from Texas was at the top of the operation. At the bottom were local gang members who distributed the drugs.

"Thirty-three gang members and drug dealers have been federally indicted to date and a dozen more are still pending federal and state charges," said Hills. Co. Sheriff's Office Chief Jose Docobo.

The drugs were hidden in shipments of lime. Deputies say the drug dealers hid the cocaine in packages of limes because the strong odor of a lime can hide other smells, but they say it didn't work because K-9's were still able to sniff out the drugs.

"The limes were in boxes and inside those boxes the cocaine was concealed inside other boxes within that pallet or shipment," Mark Trouville, with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Deputies say it was then turned into crack cocaine and distributed on the streets of Progress Village and Palm River.

Concerns from neighborhoods prompted the crack down.

Ola Lott, a crime watch coordinator in her neighborhood, was pleased with the results.

"You know, the community does not like to get involved," Lott said. "They're afraid, but we took a stand and said we (were getting) our community involved."

The director of the local rec center was relieved for the children who live and play in the community.

"Just kids being able to play have fun, play safely you know it's really big," said Billy Graham, Rec Director at Winston Park.