http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/14/Herna ... taur.shtml

The men are accused of selling cocaine and almost 100 pounds of marijuana a week at a popular Mexican restaurant.
By JONATHAN ABEL
Published January 14, 2006

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SPRING HILL - Four men have been accused of selling almost 100 pounds of marijuana a week at El Ranchito, a popular Mexican restaurant on Spring Hill Drive.

On Wednesday, the Sheriff's Office arrested owner Jorge Campos-Reyes, 31, and three employees - Jaime Ojeda Ramierz, 26, Victor Barajas-Fulido, 19, and Jesus Herrera Flores, 20 - on drug trafficking charges.

The small Mexican restaurant is next door to the post office in Spring Hill Plaza at Spring Hill Drive and Kass Circle.

Authorities said buyers would call ahead to arrange to pick up marijuana and cocaine from the back door and kitchen.

On one occasion, employees put 2 pounds of marijuana in brown paper bags and then put tortilla chips on top to hide it.

"This is our second storefront operation," Sheriff Richard B. Nugent said, "but this guy is different because he's selling bulk."

Chris R. Frenck was arrested in October and charged with dealing drugs out of the Music Shack in Spring Hill.

Nugent called the El Ranchito bust a "fairly substantial operation." His office notified Immigration and Customs Enforcement that the four men arrested are not U.S. citizens.

The Sheriff's Office has heard rumors about drug dealing at the restaurant for the last five years, but the investigation began only in October.

Undercover deputies spent $7,700 on four undercover drug buys.

On Wednesday, they raided three homes and arrested the suspects about 4:10 p.m.

On Thursday, they served a warrant on Campos-Reyes' home, 7254 Fair Oaks St.

At a news conference Friday, eight black-hooded narcotics deputies stood behind a table with their take: 36 pounds of marijuana, 838 grams of cocaine and $125,000 in bills.

Campos-Reyes was being held in the Hernando County Jail on Friday in lieu of $1,350,000 bail. The other three suspects were in jail without bail.

On Friday afternoon, the restaurant was closed during its normal lunch period.

This is one of several El Ranchito restaurants in the area, but authorities do not think any of the other restaurants have been involved in selling drugs.

"I've eaten in that restaurant a couple of times," Nugent said, "and based on what the undercovers found back there in the kitchen, I wouldn't eat there again."