RUSKIN, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has arrested a five-time convicted felon, 48-year-old Christopher Cocco of Ruskin, following a two-month investigation into illegal drug trafficking.
Cocco was taken into custody on February 19, 2025, after HCSO’s Street Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at his residence. The investigation was initiated after undercover deputies successfully made multiple purchases of methamphetamine from Cocco over the preceding month.
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During the search of Cocco’s home, deputies discovered a substantial quantity of narcotics. The seized drugs included 250 grams of methamphetamine, 34 grams of cocaine, 2 pounds of marijuana, 90 grams of ecstasy, and various illegal prescription medications. In addition to the drugs, law enforcement officials also recovered three firearms from the residence.
Cocco now faces a multitude of charges. These include three counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, one count of Trafficking in Amphetamine (14 grams to 28 grams), one count of Trafficking in Cocaine (28 grams to 200 grams), one count of Trafficking in Phenethylamines (10 to 200 grams), and five counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell or Deliver.
Sheriff Chad Chronister praised the efforts of his deputies, stating, “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our deputies, this dangerous criminal—who was distributing poison into our community—is now off our streets and behind bars.” He further emphasized the HCSO’s commitment to public safety: “We will continue to seek justice and remain committed to keeping dangerous individuals off our streets to protect the residents of Hillsborough County.” The arrest underscores the HCSO’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and related crimes within the county.
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