A Central Florida drug trafficker operating under a fake identity, who was also a previously deported non-citizen that illegally re-entered the United States, was apprehended by local law enforcement.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office apprehended the drug trafficker who operated under a false identity for years while distributing large quantities of fentanyl across the Tampa Bay area.
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Detectives from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), conducted an undercover investigation into a man suspected of distributing large quantities of fentanyl in Hillsborough County.
The suspect, who was originally identified as Eric Barnes, was discovered to be distributing pressed fentanyl pills. HCSO detectives found over 1,000 pressed fentanyl pills throughout the investigation.
Further investigation revealed that the name “Eric Barnes” was a false identity. The true identity of the individual is 47-year-old Lloyd Anton Blair, a previously deported non-citizen who illegally re-entered the United States and fled from federal probation. His whereabouts were unclear for nearly a decade before this research revealed his actions. Blair also had an active detainer for human smuggling with the United States Marshals Service, according to detectives.
Blair used a local auto repair shop at 7200 North Nebraska Avenue as a front for narcotics sales.
HCSO detectives found and arrested Blair at his home on Tangle Stone Drive in Gibsonton. He was sent over to Homeland Security Investigations for federal vetting.
Search warrants were executed at both Blair’s apartment and the car body shop, resulting in the seizures of:
- Approximately 2,500 pressed fentanyl pills
- One pound of fentanyl
- Half a pound of methamphetamine
- Half a pound of marijuana
- Over $4,000 in U.S. currency
“The amount of fentanyl we recovered in this case is staggering,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Just two milligrams can be fatal. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved with the amount we seized. Our detectives didn’t just make an arrest, they saved countless families from unimaginable grief.”
Blair was also charged with trafficking in fentanyl (14 to 28 grams), trafficking in fentanyl (28 grams or more) (x2), trafficking in amphetamine (200 grams or more), and possession of cannabis with the intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver.
Detectives also acquired a search order for Blair’s phone and found two suspicious packages. HSI assisted detectives in intercepting 12 pounds of marijuana bound for the Tampa Bay area and three pounds of methamphetamine bound for California.
“This arrest is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our detectives to hold drug traffickers accountable and remove these deadly substances from our streets,” added Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Let this be a warning: if you hide behind a fake name, we will find you, we will stop you, and we will protect our community.”
Local law enforcement reports that this inquiry is still ongoing.
