Land O’ Lakes Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Offenses
TAMPA, Fla. - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Raymond Montanez (42, Land O’ Lakes) has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. Each count carries a minimum mandatory term of 5 years, and up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
According to court documents, beginning at unknown time and continuing through May 11, 2023, Montanez conspired with others to distribute cocaine and possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Montanez imported the cocaine through the mail and sold it from points within the Middle District of Florida.
On March 17, 2023, Montanez sold 209 grams of a substance to an undercover officer. On April 13, 2023, Montanez sold approximately 200 grams of a substance to an undercover officer. Eleven days later, agents observed Montanez travel to Jupiter, Florida, where he met with a co-conspirator and retrieved a package containing approximately one kilogram of cocaine. After confirming Montanez was the sole occupant of the vehicle, a traffic stop was conducted, and the cocaine was seized. A lab analysis by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) later confirmed that the seized substance was cocaine weighing 999.1 grams.
This case was investigated by the DEA Tampa District Office, the Tampa Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community, please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA online Tip Line at Submit a Tip | DEA.gov. Concerns about prescription drug abuse or diversion can be reported to the DEA through this link: RX Abuse Online Reporting (usdoj.gov).
The DEA encourages parents, teachers, care givers, guardians, and children to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com , www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov, and www.dea.gov.
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