A Florida man has been indicted after raids on his home and his mother’s property uncovered more than 22kg of narcotics, 14 handguns and over $590,000 (£440,000) in cash, prosecutors say.
Dominique Bowden, 34, from Riverview, is accused of running a large-scale drug operation across the Tampa area. His mother had warned him to stop dealing, according to US Attorney Gregory W Kehoe, but investigators say the sales continued.
Drug raids uncover fentanyl and firearms
Federal agents and Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies began investigating Bowden in April, using surveillance, cameras and telephone wiretaps to monitor alleged drug transactions.
Authorities allege he arranged deals by phone and met customers at petrol stations and a Publix car park in Bloomingdale. He is also accused of using rental cars and his mother’s home to distribute drugs, with investigators recording as many as 10 transactions a day.
Two search warrants were carried out on 23 September at Bowden’s home in Riverview and his mother’s property in Tampa.
At Bowden’s house, officers said they found 226g of fentanyl, 6.9lb of cannabis, cocaine, oxycodone and 11 handguns.
Agents searching his mother’s home seized 3kg of fentanyl, 13kg of methamphetamine, more than 6.4kg of cocaine, cannabis, oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as three further handguns.
Several of the 14 weapons recovered were reportedly stolen, while one had its serial number removed by drilling. More than $590,000 in cash was also found across the two properties.
Fentanyl seizure could represent 1.5 million doses
Drug Enforcement Administration officials estimated that the fentanyl seized could contain about 1.5 million potentially fatal doses. Prosecutors said just 2mg of the synthetic opioid can be deadly.
Investigators also say Bowden fled during an earlier attempt to stop him in traffic and later hid a vehicle at his sister’s house.
A federal grand jury has charged him with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Bowden is being held in custody while he awaits trial. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Erik Daab through the Homeland Security Task Force Initiative. The charges are allegations, and Bowden is presumed innocent unless proved guilty.
