A fatal overdose the day after Christmas in 2025 helped uncover a multi-county drug trafficking operation spanning Hernando, Pasco and Hillsborough counties.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis held a press conference on Monday, March 16, to discuss the extensive joint investigation conducted with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Several months ago, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office responded to a death investigation that evolved into an overdose homicide case. According to investigators, the victim’s wife provided information about where the MDMA, also known as ecstasy, had been purchased, leading deputies to Ryan Perez, who was identified as the supplier. Nienhuis said the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) later tested the substance and found it to be approximately two-and-a-half times more potent than MDMA typically encountered on the street.
On Wednesday, March 11, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Perez’s home on Utah Street in Spring Hill. Upon arrival, deputies reported a strong odor of marijuana coming from the residence. A search of the home uncovered multiple controlled substances, including drug paraphernalia, approximately two pounds of MDMA, 10 counterfeit Adderall pills, 14.5 grams of LSD, two pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, about one pound of marijuana plants and roughly 20 pounds of additional marijuana.
Ryan Perez and his wife, Adina Perez, were arrested during the search. Ryan Perez faces multiple charges, including drug possession, drug trafficking, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Adina Perez was also arrested for having a trafficking amount of MDMA.
Following the arrests, the DEA obtained search warrants for two Hippie Crib shops in Tampa owned by Perez…