$1 Million In Heroin Seized

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the filing of a criminal complaint charging Jose Angel Cerillo (41, Brownsville, Texas) and Maria Zacharias (59, Chalmette, Louisiana) with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. If convicted, they each face a minimum of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.

According to the complaint, Cerillo and Zacharias agreed to possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. At the time of their arrests, they were in possession of approximately 2.5 kilograms of the drug, which had an estimated street value of one million dollars.

A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.        

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Perry.