The Brief
- A Hillsborough County judge denied bond Monday for three defendants arrested in a major drug trafficking investigation, while granting bond for two other defendants.
- Last week, the defendants appeared in court for a bond hearing, during which two undercover Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office detectives testified about buying fentanyl from Torres and Varela.
- According to the prosecution, one of the detectives purchased 45 ounces of fentanyl for over $45,000 over several buys from one of the suspects last year.
TAMPA, Fla. – A Hillsborough County judge denied bond Monday for three defendants arrested in a major drug trafficking investigation. The judge granted bond for two other defendants. Prosecutors say all five have ties to a drug trafficking network in Puerto Rico that funneled fentanyl into Florida.
On Monday, the judge denied bond for Jorge Vargas Torres, Carlos Acevedo Varela, and William Rivera Diaz. Torres and Varela are accused of selling fentanyl to an undercover detective.
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Diaz is not accused of selling to an agent, but the judge said his “past and present conduct” causes concern that “he may not appear for trial.” Diaz has a past conviction of fleeing and eluding.…