Drug Bust Nets 2 Arrests, $300,000 in Cocaine

An estimated $300,000 in cocaine won’t be available on Bay area streets following the conclusion of a lengthy investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the sheriff’s office, the joint investigation that included the Tampa Police Department began about 11 months ago and involved several search warrants and a “buy/bust” operation.

The “buy/bust” operation was conducted on Friday and resulted in the seizure of a half kilogram of powder cocaine and the arrest of Willie Johnson, 42, of Tampa.

A search warrant was also served at the 8303 Ash Ave. home of Derrick Willis, 36. During that warrant search, deputies seized a large amount of cocaine packaged for sale, $2,665 in cash and a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, an email to media from the agency stated.

Willis tried to run when the warrant was served, the agency noted, but was caught following a brief chase.

Following that warrant operation, deputies served a second one to the Metro Self Storage facility at 10813 in Boyette Road in Riverview. There they entered a storage unit leased to Willis and found more powdered cocaine, a cutting agent and several kilo presses, the email stated.

All told a total of 7 kilos of cocaine was recovered worth an estimated street value of $300,000.

Johnson faces seven counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving on a suspended license charges. Willis faces two counts of trafficking in cocaine, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing an officer and driving on a suspended license charges.

Photos courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

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