Sarasota heroin dealer sentenced to 20 years

TAMPA, Fla. — A Sarasota resident was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison Thursday on drug charges. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, the Sarasota Police Department, the Osceola County Investigative Bureau and ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Arlin Troncoso-Pena, 33, was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distributing more than 100 grams of heroin.

According to his plea agreement, in October 2010, Troncoso-Pena arranged for two females to travel from Boston to Florida with heroin in their possession. After Troncoso-Pena picked up the two females at the train station in Osceola County, his vehicle was stopped by law enforcement. One of the women in Troncoso-Pena's vehicle possessed heroin weighing approximately 150 grams.

Tronco-Pena was released on bond and failed to appear in court on these charges.

In 2012, law enforcement authorities in Sarasota County learned that Troncoso-Pena was selling heroin as part of a conspiracy. In May 2012, after arranging sales through Troncoso-Pena, law enforcement purchased approximately 40 grams of heroin. In June 2012, during the execution of search warrant at a residence used by members of the conspiracy, law enforcement recovered approximately 35 grams of heroin and more than $5,000. On that same date, Troncoso-Pena was arrested and found to be in possession of $3,005. He has been incarcerated since his June 2012 arrest.

In addition to his prison sentence, the court also ordered Troncoso-Pena to forfeit $3,005 – the proceeds from the offense.

Troncoso-Pena pleaded guilty March 29.